(February 7, 2008 - Insidermedicine) A new gene has been linked with the tendency to develop a high concentration of LDL or "bad" cholesterol in the blood, according to research published in the Lancet.

Here are some facts about LDL cholesterol:

•    Having high levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood is a major cause of coronary heart disease (CHD), and therapies that lower LDL cholesterol reduce this risk.

•    Your doctor can check your LDL cholesterol level and let you know if you need to try to reduce it through lifestyle change and/or drug therapy. The higher your LDL cholesterol and the more other risk factors for CHD you have (such as smoking and high blood pressure), the more likely you are to be prescribed medication.

•    Lifestyle changes that can help lower your LDL cholesterol include reducing the amount of saturated fat and cholesterol you eat, increasing your physical activity, and controlling your weight.

Researchers from the University of Cambridge examined the genetic makeup of nearly 12,000 people and looked to see whether they could find any associations between their genes and their LDL cholesterol levels. They found a link between the participants' LDL cholesterol levels and a gene known as 1p13.3.

Based on these findings, the authors conclude that the 1p13.3 gene plays a role in how the body handles LDL cholesterol in the body. This gene and its effects on the body, therefore, could be potential targets for the development of new drugs that treat high cholesterol and heart disease. In addition, a better understanding of how genes affect cholesterol levels can help identify individuals who are at high risk for developing these serious conditions.

For Insidermedicine in Depth, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.