The findings may seem counterintuitive because high cholesterol is commonly linked to negative health outcomes, particularly cardiovascular (CV) disease. As of Penn Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, remarks, “Any changes in lipid targets must weigh pulmonary benefits against CV risk increase.” And the COPD Foundation’s Chief Medical Officer, David Mannino, MD, agrees: “More patients with COPD die from CV disease than COPD, so it’s critically important to pay attention to CV risk factors and appropriately treat elevated cholesterol and lipid levels as indicated. We know that higher lipid levels relate to earlier mortality from CV disease, so one must be a bit cautious!”