Donate Help Contact The AHA Sign In Home
American Heart Association
Stroke
Search: search_blue_button Advanced Search
Stroke. 2000;31:1882-1888

This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Wannamethee, S. G.
Right arrow Articles by Ebrahim, S.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Wannamethee, S. G.
Right arrow Articles by Ebrahim, S.

(Stroke. 2000;31:1882.)
© 2000 American Heart Association, Inc.


Original Contributions

HDL-Cholesterol, Total Cholesterol, and the Risk of Stroke in Middle-Aged British Men

S. Goya Wannamethee, PhD; A. Gerald Shaper, FRCP S. Ebrahim, FRCP

From the Department of Primary Care and Population Sciences (S.G.W., A.G.S.), Royal Free and University College Medical School, and the Department of Social Medicine (S.E.), University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, Bristol, UK.

Correspondence to Dr S. Goya Wannamethee, Department of Primary Care and Population Sciences, Royal Free and University College Medical School, Rowland Hill St, London NW3 2PF, UK. E-mail goya{at}rfhsm.ac.uk

Background and Purpose—The purpose of this study was to examine the relation between serum HDL cholesterol and total cholesterol and risk of stroke.

Methods—We carried out a prospective study in 7735 men, 40 to 59 years of age, drawn from 1 group practice in each of 24 British towns. Men with history of stroke were excluded (n=52).

Results—During the mean follow-up period of 16.8 years, there were 343 stroke cases (fatal and nonfatal) in the 7683 men with no history of stroke. Higher levels of HDL cholesterol were associated with a significant decrease in risk of stroke even after adjustment for potential confounders (top fifth versus lowest fifth: adjusted relative risk=0.68, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.99). The inverse relation was seen only for nonfatal strokes (adjusted relative risk=0.59, 95% CI 0.39 to 0.90; top fifth versus lowest fifth). Total cholesterol showed no graded association with fatal strokes, but men with levels >=8.1 mmol/L (top 5% of the distribution) showed increased risk of nonfatal stroke, although this was not statistically significant after adjustment (adjusted RR=1.46, 95% CI 0.91 to 2.32). The beneficial effects of elevated HDL cholesterol on nonfatal stroke were seen in both smokers and nonsmokers and were more evident in men with hypertension than in normotensives. In hypertensive men, elevated HDL cholesterol (top fifth) was associated with a significant 50% reduction in risk of nonfatal strokes compared with men in the lowest fifth.

Conclusions—Higher levels of HDL cholesterol were associated with a significant decrease in risk of nonfatal stroke. In contrast, elevated total cholesterol showed a weak positive association with nonfatal strokes. The marked inverse association between HDL cholesterol and stroke seen in hypertensives emphasizes the importance of those modifiable risk factors for stroke known to lower the concentrations of HDL cholesterol.


Key Words: cholesterol • lipoproteins, HDL cholesterol • stroke




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
HeartHome page
K Nakamura, F Barzi, R Huxley, T-H Lam, I Suh, J Woo, H C Kim, V L Feigin, D Gu, M Woodward, et al.
Does cigarette smoking exacerbate the effect of total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol on the risk of cardiovascular diseases?
Heart, June 1, 2009; 95(11): 909 - 916.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Diabetes CareHome page
M. Hyvarinen, Q. Qiao, J. Tuomilehto, T. Laatikainen, R. J. Heine, C. D.A. Stehouwer, K. G. M.M. Alberti, K. Pyorala, B. Zethelius, B. Stegmayr, et al.
Hyperglycemia and Stroke Mortality: Comparison between fasting and 2-h glucose criteria
Diabetes Care, February 1, 2009; 32(2): 348 - 354.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
StrokeHome page
T. Imamura, Y. Doi, H. Arima, K. Yonemoto, J. Hata, M. Kubo, Y. Tanizaki, S. Ibayashi, M. Iida, and Y. Kiyohara
LDL Cholesterol and the Development of Stroke Subtypes and Coronary Heart Disease in a General Japanese Population: The Hisayama Study
Stroke, February 1, 2009; 40(2): 382 - 388.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
HypertensionHome page
T. Kushiro, K. Mizuno, N. Nakaya, Y. Ohashi, N. Tajima, T. Teramoto, S. Uchiyama, H. Nakamura, and for the Management of Elevated Cholesterol in the
Pravastatin for Cardiovascular Event Primary Prevention in Patients With Mild-to-Moderate Hypertension in the Management of Elevated Cholesterol in the Primary Prevention Group of Adult Japanese (MEGA) Study
Hypertension, February 1, 2009; 53(2): 135 - 141.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur Heart JHome page
M. Woodward, F. Barzi, V. Feigin, D. Gu, R. Huxley, K. Nakamura, A. Patel, S. Ho, K. Jamrozik, and for the Asia Pacific Cohort Studies Collaboration
Associations between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and both stroke and coronary heart disease in the Asia Pacific region
Eur. Heart J., November 1, 2007; 28(21): 2653 - 2660.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
StrokeHome page
N. Sanossian, J. L. Saver, M. Navab, and B. Ovbiagele
High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol: An Emerging Target for Stroke Treatment
Stroke, March 1, 2007; 38(3): 1104 - 1109.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
NeurologyHome page
T. Kurth, B. M. Everett, J. E. Buring, C. S. Kase, P. M. Ridker, and J. M. Gaziano
Lipid levels and the risk of ischemic stroke in women
Neurology, February 20, 2007; 68(8): 556 - 562.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
BMJHome page
S. Ebrahim, J. Sung, Y.-M. Song, R. L Ferrer, D. A Lawlor, and G. D. Smith
Serum cholesterol, haemorrhagic stroke, ischaemic stroke, and myocardial infarction: Korean national health system prospective cohort study
BMJ, July 1, 2006; 333(7557): 22.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
L. B. Goldstein, R. Adams, M. J. Alberts, L. J. Appel, L. M. Brass, C. D. Bushnell, A. Culebras, T. J. DeGraba, P. B. Gorelick, J. R. Guyton, et al.
Primary Prevention of Ischemic Stroke: A Guideline From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Stroke Council: Cosponsored by the Atherosclerotic Peripheral Vascular Disease Interdisciplinary Working Group; Cardiovascular Nursing Council; Clinical Cardiology Council; Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism Council; and the Quality of Care and Outcomes Research Interdisciplinary Working Group: The American Academy of Neurology affirms the value of this guideline.
Circulation, June 20, 2006; 113(24): e873 - e923.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
StrokeHome page
L. B. Goldstein, R. Adams, M. J. Alberts, L. J. Appel, L. M. Brass, C. D. Bushnell, A. Culebras, T. J. DeGraba, P. B. Gorelick, J. R. Guyton, et al.
Primary Prevention of Ischemic Stroke: A Guideline From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Stroke Council: Cosponsored by the Atherosclerotic Peripheral Vascular Disease Interdisciplinary Working Group; Cardiovascular Nursing Council; Clinical Cardiology Council; Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism Council; and the Quality of Care and Outcomes Research Interdisciplinary Working Group: The American Academy of Neurology affirms the value of this guideline.
Stroke, June 1, 2006; 37(6): 1583 - 1633.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur Heart JHome page
A. Patel, M. Woodward, D. J. Campbell, D. R. Sullivan, S. Colman, J. Chalmers, B. Neal, and S. MacMahon
Plasma lipids predict myocardial infarction, but not stroke, in patients with established cerebrovascular disease
Eur. Heart J., September 2, 2005; 26(18): 1910 - 1915.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
NeurologyHome page
D. L. Tirschwell, N. L. Smith, S. R. Heckbert, R. N. Lemaitre, W. T. Longstreth Jr., and B. M. Psaty
Association of cholesterol with stroke risk varies in stroke subtypes and patient subgroups
Neurology, November 23, 2004; 63(10): 1868 - 1875.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
Asia Pacific Cohort Studies Collaboration
Serum Triglycerides as a Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Diseases in the Asia-Pacific Region
Circulation, October 26, 2004; 110(17): 2678 - 2686.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am J EpidemiolHome page
J. D. Curb, R. D. Abbott, B. L. Rodriguez, K. H. Masaki, R. Chen, J. S. Popper, H. Petrovitch, G. W. Ross, I. J. Schatz, G. C. Belleau, et al.
High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and the Risk of Stroke in Elderly Men: The Honolulu Heart Program
Am. J. Epidemiol., July 15, 2004; 160(2): 150 - 157.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
StrokeHome page
T. S. Bowman, H. D. Sesso, J. Ma, T. Kurth, C. S. Kase, M. J. Stampfer, and J. M. Gaziano
Cholesterol and the Risk of Ischemic Stroke
Stroke, December 1, 2003; 34(12): 2930 - 2934.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Int J EpidemiolHome page
Asia Pacific Cohort Studies Collaboration
Cholesterol, coronary heart disease, and stroke in the Asia Pacific region
Int. J. Epidemiol., August 1, 2003; 32(4): 563 - 572.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
StrokeHome page
Y. Soyama, K. Miura, Y. Morikawa, M. Nishijo, Y. Nakanishi, Y. Naruse, S. Kagamimori, and H. Nakagawa
High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Risk of Stroke in Japanese Men and Women: The Oyabe Study
Stroke, April 1, 2003; 34(4): 863 - 868.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
StrokeHome page
E. Shahar, L. E. Chambless, W. D. Rosamond, L. L. Boland, C. M. Ballantyne, P. G. McGovern, and A. R. Sharrett
Plasma Lipid Profile and Incident Ischemic Stroke: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study
Stroke, March 1, 2003; 34(3): 623 - 631.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
StrokeHome page
V. Kothari, R. J. Stevens, A. I. Adler, I. M. Stratton, S. E. Manley, H. A. Neil, and R. R. Holman
UKPDS 60: Risk of Stroke in Type 2 Diabetes Estimated by the UK Prospective Diabetes Study Risk Engine
Stroke, July 1, 2002; 33(7): 1776 - 1781.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
StrokeHome page
P. B. Gorelick
Stroke Prevention Therapy Beyond Antithrombotics: Unifying Mechanisms in Ischemic Stroke Pathogenesis and Implications for Therapy: An Invited Review
Stroke, March 1, 2002; 33(3): 862 - 875.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur Heart JHome page
S. Houterman, H.C. Boshuizen, W.M.M. Verschuren, S. Giampaoli, A. Nissinen, A. Menotti, and D. Kromhout
Predicting cardiovascular risk in the elderly in different European countries
Eur. Heart J., February 2, 2002; 23(4): 294 - 300.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cardiovasc ResHome page
E. Rizos and D. P Mikhailidis
Are high density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglyceride levels relevant in stroke prevention?
Cardiovasc Res, November 1, 2001; 52(2): 199 - 207.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
BMJHome page
J. Mann, M. Skeaff, S. Truswell, F. B Hu, F. Sacks, W. C Willett, L. Hooper, C. D Summerbell, R. L Thompson, N. E Capps, et al.
Dietary fats and prevention of cardiovascular disease
BMJ, October 27, 2001; 323(7319): 1000 - 1000.
[Full Text]


Home page
CirculationHome page
H. Bloomfield Rubins, J. Davenport, V. Babikian, L. M. Brass, D. Collins, L. Wexler, S. Wagner, V. Papademetriou, G. Rutan, and S. J. Robins
Reduction in Stroke With Gemfibrozil in Men With Coronary Heart Disease and Low HDL Cholesterol : The Veterans Affairs HDL Intervention Trial (VA-HIT)
Circulation, June 12, 2001; 103(23): 2828 - 2833.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]