Dysfunctional High Density Lipoprotein

Curiously about 40% of patients complaining of cardiovascular problems acutally show normal levels-quantitatively - of HDL cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, traditionally positively correlated with a health heart). Why do so many people with satisfactory amounts of circulating HDL still show heart problems? This apparent contradiction between conventional views and clinical realities has increasingly frustrated the medical community. In fact, the misaligned counsel and reality may conceivably lead patients to lose faith in the medical advice they receive. Futhermore, it may discourage them from containuing the often-challenging restrictions doctors recommend to patients with heart problems. The patients may ask why she is working so hard to keep her HDL up, if it doesn't seem to make a different in whether she gets sick or not.