Lower or higher HDL-C levels are associated with cardiovascular events in the general population in rural China

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The present study aims to estimate whether high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is correlated with cardiovascular events (CVEs) and cardiovascular mortality (CVM) in a large sample of the general population in rural areas of China. METHODS: Adult participants (n = 10,266, age = 53.79 ± 10.49 years; 46.5% men) were enrolled from the Northeast China Rural Cardiovascular Health Study (NCRCHS). Laboratory testing, blood pressure, weight, height, and questionnaires about socioeconomic status were collected. RESULTS: In all, 585 nonfatal or fatal CVEs and 212 cardiovascular deaths were documented during a 4.66-year follow-up. Compared to the reference groups (HDL-C between 1.5 and 1.99 mmol/L), either lower or higher levels of HDL-C were correlated with an increased incidence of CVEs but not CVM [hazard ratio (HR) the lowest = 1.369, 95% confidence interval, 1.007-1.861; HR the highest = 1.044, 0.509-2.231]. Elevated CVM was seen in the lowest HDL-C category (1.840; 1.121-3.021). CONCLUSIONS: Lower or higher HDL-C was associated with a higher incidence of CVEs but not CVM in the general population of rural China. Perhaps if an appropriate level of HDL-C is maintained, CVEs can be effectively prevented.