“GOOD” cholesterol may not be as effective in uniformly predicting the risk of heart disease across adults from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, according to a new study.
The research, published on Monday in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, suggests lower levels of high density lipoproteins or HDL cholesterol – often called “good” cholesterol – were associated with increased risks for heart attacks in white but not black adults.
The study found that higher levels were not protective for either racial group.
Earlier studies shaping perceptions about “good” cholesterol levels and heart health were conducted in the 1970s through research with a majority of white adult study participants, said scientists, including those from the Oregon Health & Science University, in a statement.
In the new study, researchers reviewed data from 23,901 US adults who participated in the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke Study (REGARDS).
From the data, scientists could assess how cholesterol levels from Black and white middle-aged adults without heart disease who lived throughout the US overlapped with future cardiovascular events.
Higher than optimal amounts of “good” cholesterol may not provide cardiovascular benefits for either group as well, the study noted.
Researchers call for future research with diverse populations to explore these connections.
“When it comes to risk factors for heart disease, they cannot be limited to one race or ethnicity. They need to apply to everyone,” Dr Pamir said.