2023-06-25 09:20:00
A paradoxical study found that low levels of LDL cholesterol, also known as ‘bad cholesterol,’ are more likely to cause cardiovascular disease.
This is the result of a joint research team led by Yang Han-mo (Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine) and Park Chan-soon (Clinical instructor) at Seoul National University Hospital and Han Kyung-do, Professor at Soongsil University’s Department of Information Statistics and Actuarial Science.
LDL cholesterol hardens and narrows the blood vessels in the blood vessel walls, causing ‘atherosclerotic’ cardiovascular disease. Therefore, the standard treatment for high-risk groups for cardiovascular disease is to lower LDL cholesterol levels. Normal levels of LDL cholesterol are less than 100 mg/dL.
This study was conducted by tracking and observing 2.43 million people (30-75 years old) who underwent national health examinations in 2009 for 9 years. None of them had cardiovascular disease and did not take dyslipidemia drugs.
As a result of the study, it was observed that the risk of cardiovascular disease actually increased when the LDL cholesterol level was lower than normal, such as 80 to 90 mg/dL or less.
The research team believed that the cause was related to the level of inflammation in the blood, and conducted an additional analysis of the same group (cohort).
Then, a J-shaped correlation was found between the level of LDL cholesterol and the level of ‘hs-CRP (High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein)’, which indicates the degree of inflammation.
In addition, the LDL cholesterol ‘less than 70mg/dL’ group had higher average hs-CRP levels than the ’70-129mg/dL’ group, and the proportion of people with high hs-CRP levels was also large.
In other words, even in people without a history of cardiovascular disease and low LDL-cholesterol levels, high levels of inflammatory activity in the blood can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
However, as previously known, the lower the LDL cholesterol, the lower the risk of cardiovascular disease for those who are taking dyslipidemia drugs or belong to the high-risk group for cardiovascular disease over the next 10 years. This means that conventional treatments help in prevention and treatment.
Professor Yang Han-mo said, “As the results of this study differ from existing theories, we analyzed from various angles to see if there were any confounding variables or statistical errors, but the results were the same. But it was the same.”
Professor Yang said, “Unlike previous studies, subjects were clearly divided into primary and secondary prevention groups according to the presence or absence of cardiovascular disease, and a large number of people were followed for a long period of time, so we were able to observe the J-curve phenomenon.”
“What is noteworthy regarding the results of this study is that it is necessary to clarify, track, and manage potential patient groups in consideration of various risk factors in the occurrence of cardiovascular disease,” he said. It is important to actively work for it,” he added.
The research results were published in the international journal ‘Journal of Advanced Research’.
Daeik Kwon Medical Reporter dkwon@hankookilbo.com
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