People with Down Syndrome are living longer because of better medical care, but with increasing age, heart disease may become a risk.

Cholesterol-lowering statins , typically prescribed only to patients at elevated risk of heart attack or stroke, also appear to benefit patients with a low risk of suffering adverse heart events.

Most patients are aware that "good" HDL cholesterol can protect against coronary heart disease. However, scientists have found that not all HDL cholesterol benefits the heart, and some may even be harmful.

Drugmaker Roche has halted a pivotal late-stage clinical trial for an experimental medication designed to increase "good" HDL cholesterol after the study revealed it did not offer a benefit.

On top of diet and exercise, medications can help you control your cholesterol. Be careful, though. Some of these medications may pose a threat to your health.

Niacin, also known as vitamin B3 , is the only drug that boosts good HDL cholesterol. Patients commonly stop taking it because of facial flushing, also known as the "niacin flush."

Residents of countries with higher incomes and more efficient healthcare systems tend to have lower cholesterol rates. Less out-of-pocket healthcare spending also contributed to reduced cholesterol rates.

The doctor many women know best - and see most often is their OB/ GYN . So, your OB/ GYN may be the best person to screen you for cardiovascular risk factors along with your annual exam.

Interested in lowering your risk of coronary heart disease? Taking steps to lower your bad LDL cholesterol earlier in life is more effective than treating high cholesterol with statin drugs later in life.

Spicing up lunch with the addition of fiery peppers may do the heart favors. Capsaicin , a substance that adds the heat to a variety of peppers, including jalapenos and habaneros , has been found to improve heart and blood vessel health.