Is the use of cholesterol in mortality risk algorithms in clinical guidelines valid?

[Northerner]

Many clinical guidelines for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention contain risk estimation charts/calculators. These have shown a tendency to overestimate risk, which indicates that there might be theoretical flaws in the algorithms. Total cholesterol is a frequently used variable in the risk estimates. Some studies indicate that the predictive properties of cholesterol might not be as straightforward as widely assumed. Our aim was to document the strength and validity of total cholesterol as a risk factor for mortality in a well-defined, general Norwegian population without known CVD at baseline.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3303886/

 

[Vicsetter]

Well that clears that up for all you Norwegians out there, keep eating strange cheeses for breakfast and you'll be OK.