ABSTRACT
Lowering low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) is the primary target to prevent cardiovascular events in patients with dyslipidemia at high risk for cardiovascular disease. Many patients on statin therapy have initial or recurrent coronary heart disease events despite reductions in LDL-C. Indeed, 2/3 of patients on statin therapy suffer from residual risk. Low high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and high triglycerides levels are modifiable and important factors to resolve a residual risk. Especially, low serum levels of HDL-C (< 40 mg/dL for men, < 50 mg/dL for women) are highly prevalent and are recognized as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity (myocardial infarction, stroke, peripheral arterial disease, and restenosis after coronary stenting) and mortality. Thus, therapy focusing on raising HDL-C may be an important paradigm for treating and slowing progression of atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, and co-morbid metabolic disorders. In this review, we discuss the importance of HDL-C based on experimental and large scaled clinical trials.