Contents
High levels of “good” cholesterol in the blood work to our advantage, reducing the risk of atherosclerosis – it is believed. It turns out, however, that he, too, may increase the risk of a heart attack. Scientists explain when and why this happens.
- People with high levels of “good” HDL cholesterol with large particles have an increased risk of having a heart attack
- Scientists: Only small HDL particles are actually associated with a reduced risk of a heart attack
- Smaller HDL particles transport cholesterol more efficiently to the liver, so it can be eliminated more effectively
- More current information can be found on the Onet homepage.
“Good” and “bad” cholesterol
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is also called HDL cholesterol or “good cholesterol” because its presence in the blood is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. HDL transports the cholesterol deposited in the arteries to the liver, which removes it.
In contrast, so-called bad cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), causes cholesterol to build up in the arteries and increases cardiovascular risk.
While drugs that lower bad cholesterol reduce cardiovascular risk, drugs that raise good cholesterol have not been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of heart disease. This prompted scientists to investigate further HDL. They were conducted by a Spanish team of specialists from several medical and research centers. The results were published in “Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental”.
When does “good” cholesterol increase the risk of a heart attack?
Scientists analyzed the genetic characteristics that determine the size of good cholesterol molecules, and then examined their relationship to the risk of a heart attack. The genetic characteristics associated with the production of large particles of good cholesterol have been found to be directly related to a higher risk of a heart attack, while characteristics associated with small particles of good cholesterol are associated with a lower risk of a heart attack.
- Not only pain in the sternum area. Can you recognize the symptoms of a heart attack?
In other words, people with high levels of large HDL cholesterol have an increased risk of having a heart attack. Only small HDL particles are actually associated with a reduced risk of a heart attack.
- To check your cholesterol, it is worth doing blood lipid tests. You can take advantage of Cholesterol Control Package on Medonet Market.
“ There is a positive causal link between HDL cholesterol particle size and the risk of a heart attack, so while we need to raise the levels of good cholesterol in the blood, it must always be small particles, ” explains lead researcher Dr. Robert Elosua, associated with Hospital del Mar-IMIM, CIBERCV and University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC).
Why only small HDL particles protect against a heart attack?
HDL particles transfer cholesterol to the liver more efficiently, so it can be eliminated more effectively. – If we have to do something about HDL, it is increasing the number of tiny particles, i.e. those that actually do the job of eliminating cholesterol, the kind that really carries it to the liver for removal and prevents it from accumulating in the arteries and causing it to be removed. cardiovascular diseases – noted Dr. Álvaro Hernáez, researcher of Hospital Clinic-IDIBAPSi CIBER on Obesity and Nutrition.
There are currently no drugs that raise good cholesterol and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
You may be interested in:
- Total cholesterol, LDL and HDL. How to lower cholesterol?
- Symptoms of high cholesterol
- Heart disease. What symptoms are worrying?