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Some studies suggest that high cholesterol levels in older people do not predict cardiovascular (CV) mortality (JW Gen Med Nov 15 1994) and, in fact, that they are associated with lower risk for non-CV death. Researchers in Rotterdam examined this issue in a population-based prospective study that involved 5750 older people (age range, 55–99; mean age, 69). At baseline, mean total and HDL cholesterol levels were 255 and 53 mg/dL, respectively.
During median follow-up of 14 years, higher total cholesterol in those aged >65 was associated with lower non-CV–related mortality and lower cancer-related mortality in analyses adjusted for potential confounders. Moreover, no association was found between higher cholesterol and CV-related mortality in…