“Good” cholesterol levels need to be healthy

Treatment for people with type 2 diabetes, who are at special risk for cardiovascular disease, often aims to reduce high blood levels of “bad” LDL (low-density lipo-protein) cholesterol. (Cardiovascular refers to the heart and blood vessels.) A drug is often prescribed if lifestyle changes alone have not reduced unhealthy levels of LDL. But a recent study shows that low levels of “good” HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol—another risk factor for heart disease—are often not treated. This is true even though many people with type 2 disease have about normal LDL but too little HDL. The study looked at how cholesterol medication was prescribed for nearly 7,700 people with type 2 diabetes, almost half of whom had low HDL. About 65% had received a statin drug, which mainly lowers LDL. Only 8% were given a drug aimed to increase their HDL. The researchers reported that raising HDL levels to normal could have a positive effect for people with type 2 diabetes—reducing early death from cardiovascular disease.