Non-HDL Cholesterol

Since 2021, the guidelines for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases recommend additionally evaluating Non-HDL-C concentration. 

In 2019, the European Society of Cardiology's guidelines for the treatment of dyslipidemia published a similar recommendation: non-HDL-C  or ApoB should be calculated for patients with hypertriglyceridemia, when a very low LDL-C concentration is detected, as well as for patients with diabetes or obesity and very low LDL-C concentration.

Non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol is the cholesterol present in atherogenic lipoproteins (low-density, very low-density lipoproteins, and lipoprotein a). These lipoproteins are the main factors determining atherosclerosis. Non-HDL-C is more significant than low-density cholesterol (LDL) in assessing cardiovascular risk for both primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. It reflects apolipoprotein B concentration and these markers correlate in 85% of individuals.

No additional resources are needed to calculate this indicator (calculated from the lipid profile: Non-HDL cholesterol is the difference between total cholesterol and HDL-C) and it is universally applicable for both adult and child cardiovascular prevention.

Key arguments:

• Non-HDL-C  includes the cholesterol of all atherogenic lipoproteins.
• Non-HDL-C  is easily calculated from a standard lipid profile.
• Non-HDL-C  reflects the concentration of proatherogenic apolipoprotein B (ApoB).
• It is recommended to determine non-HDL-C concentration when assessing cardiovascular risk.
• Non-HDL-C  can be used as a target for dyslipidemia treatment.