![]() ![]() HDL cholesterol* (Canada and most of Europe) Very high, likely representing a genetic condition. Very high if there is coronary artery disease. High if there is no coronary artery disease. High if there is coronary artery disease. High if there is coronary artery disease.īorderline high if there is no coronary artery disease. Near optimal if there is no coronary artery disease. Near optimal for people with uncomplicated coronary artery disease. ![]() Optimal for people at risk of coronary artery disease or who have diabetes. LDL cholesterol* (Canada and most of Europe)īest for people who have coronary artery disease - including a history of heart attacks, angina, stents or coronary bypass. *Canadian and European guidelines differ slightly from U.S. Total cholesterol* (Canada and most of Europe) To interpret your test results, use these general guidelines. In Canada and many European countries, cholesterol levels are measured in millimoles per liter (mmol/L). In the United States, cholesterol levels are measured in milligrams (mg) of cholesterol per deciliter (dL) of blood. Some cholesterol tests don't require fasting, so follow your doctor's instructions. When all of the data was analysed together, the researchers found that those people taking statins had a 29 per cent reduced risk of developing dementia.Generally you're required to fast, consuming no food or liquids other than water, for nine to 12 hours before the test. A meta-analysis looking at observational studies investigating statins and the risk of dementia looked at data from 11 studies, involving over 23,000 participants, who had been taking statins for between 3 and nearly 25 years on average. Many people take statins to reduce their risk of heart attacks and strokes, and there have been many observational studies that have looked to see if this appears to alter the risk of dementia.Ī meta-analysis is a study that looks at lots of previous studies and analyses all of the data together to increase the number of people studied and to look at the information in a consistent way. In the past there have been concerns that in the short-term statins might cause memory-loss and confusion, which has been widely reported in the media, but more recent studies have generally not found this link. The picture concerning statins is complex. ![]() More research is needed to better understand this relationship and what it can tell us. Understanding any differences may lead to clues about changes in the brain that cause dementia, and things that we could tackle with treatments.Ĭhanges with cholesterol processing in the brain may not be related to the levels of cholesterol in the blood. For example, one of the common genes that increase the risk of late-onset Alzheimer's disease – APOE4 – plays a role in the processing and use of cholesterol and other fats. Researchers are also interested in cholesterol in the brain, as this substance and the way that it is processed are very important for the health of brain cells, and may be affected in dementia. A review that looked at 25 of these studies suggests that higher cholesterol in mid-life is associated with an increased risk of developing the condition. Observational studies analysing a link between high cholesterol levels and development of dementia have mixed findings. These studies can be very helpful for our understanding of things that change the risk of certain conditions, and they have been very helpful in finding things that may affect the risk of developing dementia. Evidence around the benefits of medications such as statins to reduce the risk of dementia is less clear more research is needed.Īn observational study is one that looks at large numbers of people over time and tries to find patterns and relationships between different factors (in this case, cholesterol levels and dementia). The role that cholesterol in the brain plays in the development of dementia is also being investigated, and there are lots of avenues for this research to take. People that have high cholesterol levels in the blood often have other factors associated with dementia risk such as high blood pressure and diabetes, so separating these factors is complex. Evidence suggests that there is a relationship between having high cholesterol levels in the blood in mid-life, and going on to develop dementia. Studies investigating the relationship between cholesterol and dementia look at many different ways that they might be linked. We make cholesterol naturally, and it can also be found in certain foods. Cholesterol levels can be measured by a doctor. Cholesterol is a fatty substance that is found in our blood and cells, and can be transported in the bloodstream. ![]()
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