High cholesterol results in a 13% lower death rate compared to low cholesterol in 35 to 64 year olds

This study was published in the British Medical Journal 1991 Aug 3;303(6797):276-82

Study title and authors:

Serum cholesterol concentration and coronary heart disease in population with low cholesterol concentrations.

Chen Z, Peto R, Collins R, MacMahon S, Lu J, Li W.

Medical Research Council and Imperial Cancer Research Fund, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Radcliffe Infirmary.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1888927

The objective of the study was to examine the relationship between cholesterol levels and death rates. The study included 9,021 men and women aged 35 to 64 who were followed for up to 13 years.

The study found that those with the highest cholesterol had 13% lower death rates than those with the lowest cholesterol. 

Links to other studies:
Declining cholesterol rates in people over 65 are associated with a 630% increase in death rates
Older men with lower cholesterol have a 54% higher death rate
30% higher death rate for men with falling cholesterol levels