[What are the therapeutic options for low HDL-cholesterol?]

HDL-cholesterol has a prognostic value for cardiovascular disease at least equivalent to that of LDL-cholesterol. Low levels of HDL-cholesterol constitute the principal dyslipidaemia in the general population, and this will be exacerbated with the predicted explosion in obesity and type 2 diabetes. The latter suggests that low HDL-cholesterol will become of even greater clinical concern. Raising HDL-cholesterol is not as yet considered a primary target for reducing risk of cardiovascular disease, but does constitute an aggravating factor in determining the treatment strategy. Serum HDL-cholesterol levels are variably responsive to lifestyle changes. Pharmacological therapy, which can lead to substantial increases in HDL, may be considered in high risk patients.