The Importance of Non High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Dyslipidaemia Management

Dyslipidaemia is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease which has assumed epidemic proportions worldwide. The traditional approach to the management of dyslipidaemia focusses mainly on LDL cholesterol. However, recent evidence suggests that non HDL-C is an important marker of cardiovascular risk and might play a more important role than LDL cholesterol in the causation of cardiovascular disease. Non HDL cholesterol includes all ApoB containing lipoproteins and can be tested more reliably and conveniently with the available laboratory assays. Inspite of the evidence, the role of non HDL cholesterol in atherosclerosis is underrecognised and this lipid parameter is often undertreated. This review highlights the importance of non HDL cholesterol in dyslipidaemia management, both in diabetics and otherwise.