Studies from L. Ceacalvo and colleagues reveal new findings on cardiovascular disease.

According to a study from Valencia, Spain, "To assess the prevalence of low serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration and the relationship between HDL-C and established cardiovascular disease (CVD) in an elderly Mediterranean population. Analysis of Prevencion del Riesgo de Ictus, a population-based study on Spanish subjects aged >= 60 years."

"Low HDL-C was defined following the European guidelines for cardiovascular prevention [men: <0.001]. The prevalence of CVD was higher as HDL-C concentration was lower (chi-square trend 65 mg/dl (> 1.67 mmol/l)], adjusted OR for CVD were 1.39 (1.10-1.76), 1.41 (1.11-1.80), 1.49 (1.18-1.89) and 1.91 (1.52-2.39), respectively for those in the fourth [57-65 mg/dl (1.46-1.67 mmol/l)], third [51-56 mg/dl (1.31-1.45 mmol/l)], second [46-50 mg/dl (1.18-1.30 mmol/l)] and first [

The researchers concluded: "We found a strong, independent and inverse association between HDL-C concentrations and established CVD, even at ranges of HDL-C considered as normal."

Ceacalvo and colleagues published their study in International Journal of Clinical Practice (Prevalence of low HDL cholesterol, and relationship between serum HDL and cardiovascular disease in elderly Spanish population: the PREV-ICTUS study. International Journal of Clinical Practice, 2009;63(1):71-81).

For more information, contact J. Redon, University of Valencia??Hypertension Clinic, Valencia 46010, Spain.

Publisher contact information for the International Journal of Clinical Practice is: Blackwell Publishing, 9600 Garsington Rd., Oxford OX4 2DQ, Oxon, England.

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