Low Cholesterol Is Not Reliable Indicator

The report on a new way of identifying heart disease via more sophisticated cholesterol testing requires further scrutiny (“A New Tool in Identifying Heart Disease, July 30).

It indicates that a total cholesterol of 239 is high and under 200 is desired. But many people experience a fatal heart attack with a cholesterol under 200.

Cholesterol is required to transport antioxidants throughout the body, and is needed to produce hormones and moisturize the skin. The liver produces cholesterol and most drugs to control cholesterol intentionally cause liver malfunction. Counting cholesterol is not a reliable marker of cardiovascular health.

BILL SARDI

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