High HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) Cholesterol Increases Cardiovascular Risk in Hypertensive Patients. Issue 10 (15th August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Trimarco, Valentina; Izzo, Raffaele; Morisco, Carmine; Mone, Pasquale; Virginia Manzi, Maria; Falco, Angela; Pacella, Daniela; Gallo, Paola; Lembo, Maria; Santulli, Gaetano; Trimarco, Bruno
• Is Part Of: Hypertension. Volume 79:Issue 10(2022)
• Page Start: 2355
• Page End: 2363
• Publication Date: 2022-08-15
• Subjects: cholesterol -- dyslipidemias -- heart disease risk factors -- hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors -- hypercholesterolemia -- population -- sex characteristics; Hypertension -- Periodicals; Hypertension -- Treatment -- Periodicals; 616.132005
• DOI: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.122.19912
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0194-911X

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Emerging evidence suggests that elevated circulating levels of HDL-C (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) could be linked to an increased mortality risk. However, to the best of our knowledge, the relationship between HDL-C and specific cardiovascular events has never been investigated in patients with hypertension. Methods: To fill this knowledge gap, we analyzed the relationship between HDL-C levels and cardiovascular events in hypertensive patients within the Campania Salute Network in Southern Italy. Results: We studied 11 987 patients with hypertension, who were followed for 25 534 person-years. Our population was divided in 3 groups according to the HDL-C plasma levels: HDL-C<40 mg/dL (low HDL-C); HDL-C between 40 and 80 mg/dL (medium HDL-C); and HDL-C>80 mg/dL (high HDL-C). At the follow-up analysis, adjusting for potential confounders, we observed a total of 245 cardiovascular events with a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular events in the low HDL-C group and in the high HDL-C arm compared with the medium HDL-C group. The spline analysis revealed a nonlinear U-shaped association between HDL-C levels and cardiovascular outcomes. Interestingly, the increased cardiovascular risk associated with high HDL-C was not confirmed in female patients. Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that there is a U-shaped association between HDL-C and the risk of cardiovascular events in male patients with hypertension.