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Lack of an association or an inverse association between low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol and mortality in the elderly: a systematic review

Uffe Ravnskov, David M Diamond, Rokura Hama, Tomohito Hamazaki, Björn Hammarskjöld, Niamh Hynes, Malcolm Kendrick, Peter H Langsjoen, Aseem Malhotra, Luca Mascitelli, Kilmer S McCully, Yoichi Ogushi, Harumi Okuyama, Paul J Rosch, Tore Schersten, Sherif Sultan, Ralf Sundberg

BMJ Open 2016

Think “bad cholesterol” is always bad? In people 60+, higher LDL was linked to equal or lower death rates across many studies—challenging the “lower is better” rule.

Study Details

Journal BMJ Open
Year 2016
Volume/Issue Vol. 6, Issue 6
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010401
URL: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
1 min read

Table of Contents

Do Older Adults Really Need Lower LDL?

This review looked at 19 studies with more than 68,000 people aged 60 and up. Surprise: higher LDL (“bad cholesterol”) was often linked to lower death rates—or no link at all. In most cohorts, people with higher LDL lived as long or longer than those with lower LDL. For heart-related deaths, results were mostly “no link,” and sometimes risk was lowest in the highest LDL group.

What to take away:

  • For people over 60, low LDL isn’t automatically better. Context matters.
  • Cholesterol might play roles beyond heart health (like fighting infections), especially in older age.
  • Blanket rules about “lower is always better” may not fit seniors.
  • Talk to your doctor before chasing lower LDL—focus on the whole picture: blood pressure, smoking, fitness, diet quality, and how you actually feel.

Bottom line: If you’re 60+, don’t panic over higher LDL. Use it as a prompt for a thoughtful, personalized health plan—not a one-size-fits-all prescription.

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