Low Cholesterol Levels in Younger Heart Failure Patients May Predict Unfavorable Outcomes
<i>Background and Objectives:</i> Hypercholesterolemia is a main risk-factor leading to ischemic heart disease (IHD). However, among patients with heart failure, the use of lipid lowering drugs in the presence of low cholesterol might be dangerous. This 18-year longitudinal study of pati...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Medicina |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/59/7/1314 |
| Summary: | <i>Background and Objectives:</i> Hypercholesterolemia is a main risk-factor leading to ischemic heart disease (IHD). However, among patients with heart failure, the use of lipid lowering drugs in the presence of low cholesterol might be dangerous. This 18-year longitudinal study of patients ≤51 years old investigated the relationship between baseline total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and triglyceride levels, and survival among patients with severe HF. <i>Materials and Methods:</i> The average NYHA score of 82 patients ≤51 years old with heart failure was 2.61. They were followed for a mean of 11.3 years (15 months–20 years). Total mortality was 22%. Patients were divided into three groups. Group 1 had plasma LDL-c levels ≤ 80 mg/dl, Group 2, 80–115 mg/dl and Group 3 > 115 mg/dl. <i>Results:</i> Patients with the highest baseline total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-c levels > 115 mg/dl had a better survival rate (83%) compared to those with LDL-c < 80 mg/dl (50% survival, <i>p</i> = 0.043). The association between higher LDL-c levels and lower mortality was most noticeable among patients with heart failure. <i>Conclusion:</i> Longitudinal follow-up found that low LDL-c levels may indicate poorer prognosis among patient with heart failure who are ≤51 years old, similar to elderly heart failure patients. Cholesterol lowering drugs in younger patients with heart failure may increase mortality. |
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| ISSN: | 1010-660X 1648-9144 |