The epidemiology of low levels of high-density lipoproteins cholesterol inpatients with and without coronary artery disease

Low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), and elevated tot al cholesterol-to-HDL-C ratios are independently associated with increased risk of coronary artery disease. In observational studies, every 1-mg/dL in crement in HDL-C is associated with a 2% decreased risk of coronary artery disease in men and 3% decreased risk in women. On average, HDL-C levels are lower in men than in women, and are lower in whites than in blacks. Low HD L-C has also been found to be linked to higher risk of ischemic stroke, deg ree of carotid atherosclerosis, increased atherosclerotic progression as me asured by coronary arteriography, higher coronary mortality among people wi th cardiovascular disease, and the development of coronary artery disease a mong patients with diabetes mellitus. (C) 2000 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.