The Place of HDL in Cholesterol Management

Abstract

• The guidelines developed by the Adult Treatment Panel of the National Cholesterol Education Program identified low density lipoprotein (LDL) as the major atherogenic lipoprotein, and high levels of LDL-cholesterol as the primary target for cholesterol-lowering therapy. Low levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol were recognized as a major risk factor for coronary heart disease. This report reexamines in depth the recommendations of the Adult Treatment Panel on HDL-cholesterol. Two major questions are discussed: (1) Should HDL-cholesterol levels be measured in all adults, as recommended for total cholesterol? (2) Should patients found to have a low serum LDL-cholesterol level (35 mg/dL [Arch Intern Med. 1989;149:505-510)