The study also found that low doses of the drug lovastatin worked to increase the activity of LDL receptors and correct the abnormality. The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. One of the possible reasons for the differences between men's and women's cholesterol levels and heart disease factors could be that women have a different metabolism. This requires systematic study of the mechanisms and risk factors. A key factor is that women's cholesterol-carrying lipoprotein is different from that of men's.
Obesity also influences women's cholesterol levels and heart-disease risk.
Dr. Grundy first recommends that women with high-cholesterol levels modify their diets, reduce their weight and increase physical activity. The next step in treating women not adequately helped by diet alone would be estrogen-replacement therapy. Cholesterol-lowering drugs, including lovastatin, is the next option, although Dr. Grundy said it is a close alternative to estrogen. Dr. Grundy said the bottom line is that women, especially post-menopausal women, can't allow themselves to feel immune to the dangers of coronary heart disease. They should have their cholesterol levels measured and follow their physician's recommendations for keeping their cholesterol levels within a desirable range, he said.