‘Good’ cholesterol can cause heart disease

So-called “good” cholesterol does not always live up to its reputation and can increase the risk of heart disease in some people, research has shown.

High density lipoprotein (HDL) has long been thought of as beneficial because of the way it transports harmful substances away from artery walls.

But a particular genetic mutation may cause the cardiovascular hero to go over to the dark side, scientists have discovered.