Biomarkers · Lipids & Apolipoproteins
LDL Cholesterol
Lower values carry lower risk. In NHANES 1999–2018 with linked mortality to 2019, each standard deviation is associated with a hazard ratio of 0.89. Opposite direction in NHANES
NHANES, our fit with 95% CIPublished curve
Hazard ratios relative to each curve's own reference value, so the two curves need not cross 1 at the same point. The dotted vertical line marks the NHANES median.
NHANES hazard per SD0.8995% CI 0.86–0.92 · 22,490 adults, 3,197 deaths
Published hazard ratio1.25top vs bottom quarter (95% CI 1.15–1.36) · Copenhagen General Population Study & Copenhagen City Heart Study
Where people sit
Population percentiles (mg/dL) by sex and age band. Cycle or source as recorded in the catalogue.
| Sex | Age | 5th | 25th | Median | 75th | 95th | n | Cycle / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All | 20-39 | 58.0 | 82.0 | 102 | 125 | 164 | 1,280 | 2017-2018 |
| All | 40-59 | 66.0 | 94.0 | 117 | 142 | 185 | 1,240 | 2017-2018 |
| All | 60+ | 57.0 | 87.0 | 111 | 137 | 179 | 1,300 | 2017-2018 |
| All | all | 61.0 | 88.0 | 110 | 135 | 177 | 3,820 | 2017-2018 |
| Men | all | 59.0 | 87.0 | 109 | 134 | 176 | 1,860 | 2017-2018 |
| Women | all | 63.0 | 89.0 | 111 | 136 | 178 | 1,960 | 2017-2018 |
What studies found when this marker was changed
Effects on the biomarker reported in the cited studies. They describe what happened in those populations, not a recommendation for anyone. See all catalogued interventions.
| Type | Intervention | Reported effect | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| clinical | Familial hypercholesterolemia gene mutations (LDLR / APOB) | +100% to +300% severe elevation (>190-400 mg/dL) | clinical guideline | Nordestgaard BG, et al. Eur Heart J. 2013;34:3478-3490. |
| diet | High soluble viscous fiber intake (>= 10-15g/day psyllium, oats, beta-glucan) | Reduces LDL-C by 5-12 mg/dL (5-10%) | meta-analysis | Estruch R, et al. Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease with a Mediterran… |
| diet | Portfolio Diet (Plant sterols, soy protein, viscous fiber, almonds) | -20% to -30% reduction | rct | Jenkins DJ, et al. JAMA. 2011;306:831-839. |
| diet | Excessive intake of refined saturated fats and palm/coconut oils | +20% to +45% elevation | systematic review | Sacks FM, et al. Circulation. 2017;136:e1-e23. |
| pharmacologic | HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (Statins) / PCSK9 Inhibitors / Ezetimibe | Reduces LDL-C by 30-65% (40-90 mg/dL) | RCT | Ridker PM, et al. Rosuvastatin to prevent vascular events in men and women with … |
| pharmacologic | PCSK9 inhibitors (Evolocumab / Alirocumab) | -50% to -65% reduction | rct | Sabatine MS, et al. N Engl J Med. 2017;376:1713-1722. |
| pharmacologic | High-intensity statins plus Ezetimibe 10 mg combination therapy | -55% to -70% reduction | rct | Cannon CP, et al. N Engl J Med. 2015;372:2387-2397. |
Sources
- Hazard curve: Lancet 2012; 380:581-590 (CTT Collaboration)
- Johannesen CDL, et al. Association between low density lipoprotein and all-cause and cause-specific mortality in Denmark: prospective cohort study. BMJ. 2020;371:m4266.
- Empirical curve: our Cox model with age and sex, NHANES 1999–2018 with linked mortality to 2019.