Those with the highest cholesterol live longer than those with the lowest cholesterol

This study was published in the British Medical Journal 1989;298:920-924 (8 April)

Study title and authors:
Plasma cholesterol, coronary heart disease, and cancer in the Renfrew and Paisley survey.
C. G. Isles, D. J. Hole, C. R. Gillis, V. M. Hawthorne, A. F. Lever
MRC Blood Pressure Unit, Western Infirmary, Glasgow.

This paper can be accessed at:
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/298/6678/920

The relationship between cholesterol levels and mortality was studied in a general population aged 45-64 living in the west of Scotland. 7,000 men and 8262 women were followed up for an average of 12 years.

The study found:
(a) Men with the highest cholesterol, above 254 mg/dL (6.6 mmol/l) had ~10% lower death rates than men with the lowest cholesterol, below 195 mg/dL (5.0 mmol/l).
(b) Women with the highest cholesterol, above 280 mg/dL (7.2 mmo/l) had ~5% lower death rates than women with the lowest cholesterol, below 212 mg/dL (5.5 mmol/l).

The results of the study show that those with higher cholesterol live longer.

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