Should I focus on raising HDL or lowering LDL?
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Dr. Dean Ornish answered:There are a lot of misconceptions about high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Most people, including many physicians, believe that HDL is “good cholesterol,” and the higher it is, the better. LDL is often called “bad cholesterol.”
It’s easier to lower LDL cholesterol than raise HDL cholesterol. I think there should be less emphasis on raising HDL and more on lowering LDL via diet and lifestyle or, as a second choice, with lipid-lowering drugs. If you reduce your LDL below 100 mg/dl or even lower - below 70 mg/dl if you have coronary heart disease - your risk of heart disease is very low and your HDL level will be much less important. Not everything that raises HDL is good for you and not everything that lowers HDL is bad for you.
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There are a lot of misconceptions about high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Most people, including many physicians, believe that HDL is “good cholesterol,” and the higher it is, the... More -
Dr. Curtis Mann of NorthShore University HealthSystem answered:Ideally, a patient would like to focus on both raising HDL and lowering LDL. Watch this video to learn more from Dr. Curtis Mann about whether you should focus on raising HDL or lowering LDL.
Ideally, a patient would like to focus on both raising HDL and lowering LDL. Watch this video to learn more from Dr. Curtis Mann about whether you should focus on raising HDL or lowering LDL. More
