Private MD News

Good cholesterol levels need to be raised

Category: Heart Health and Cholesterol

Many experts say that it is important for people to seek cholesterol tests that measure both HDL (good) and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. Good cholesterol can help to sweep away build-ups of plaque in the arteries, resulting in healthier overall cholesterol.

For this reason, good cholesterol is considered an important part of heart health which should not be ignored. Many treatments exist that can help raise this HDL, while lowering other factors that can lead to heart disease.

Researchers from New York University recently identified a genetic pathway that can regulate the production of good cholesterol which may lead to further improvements in cholesterol medication.

"This new understanding of cholesterol regulation could inform ongoing efforts to boost HDL levels in heart disease patients," said one of the researchers, Anders Naar.

Studies like these could lead to improved treatments for people who have bad cholesterol levels and are at risk for heart disease, as low levels of HDL can increase the risk of heart attack.