Epidemiological studies have shown that low HDL predicts cardiovascular risk just as much as elevated LDL cholesterol levels. However, today we know that HDL functionality is more important than HDL levels. As a group effect, statins increase HDL levels. They are also thought to increase functional HDL. Pitavastatin is a new statin with a different structure, shown to increase HDL levels more than other statins as well as functionality. Studies have shown that plaque regression occurs with pitavastatin. These findings provide the expectation that it will also decrease cardiovascular events.