The medical community has long acknowledged that high blood levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol -- the so-called bad cholesterol -- represent an important risk for atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. More recently, health professionals have come to recognize that high levels of "good" high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, can protect against heart disease. Moreover, recently issued health guidelines suggest that HDL levels below 40 mg/dL can put people at increased risk of coronary heart disease. Drug treatments that lower high LDL cholesterol have existed for many years and are generally safe and effective when taken as prescribed. However, equivalent treatments for raising HDL are still needed.