Lancet study shows raising HDL may not affect Heart Disease risk

A new study published in The Lancet has found that raising HDL levels may not make a difference to heart disease risk. People with genes that result in higher HDL levels have no less heart disease (myocardial infarction) than those who inherit genes that give slightly lower levels. If HDL were protective those with genes causing higher levels should have less heart disease. Higher HDL levels are associated with lower heart disease risk but the relationship may not be causative. see The Lancet, Early Online Publication, 17 May 2012 -doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(12) 60312-2 Cite or Link Using DOI "Plasma HDL cholesterol and risk of myocardial infarction: a mendelian randomisation study"-Benjamin F Voight PhD et al. The findings have implications for new drugs, anacetrapib from Merck Inc. and evacetrapid from Eli Lilly as well as currently marketed Niaspan (niacin) from Abbott Labs.