The invention relates to a method for treating Syndrome X, or inhibiting the onset of symptoms of Syndrome X in a patient, and includes administering a therapeutically effective amount of a salt of at least one alkylated and cross-linked polymer, or a copolymer thereof, the polymer salt formed as a product of the reaction of one or more polymers, or salts and copolymers thereof, having a repeat unit that is essentially: ##STR00001## where n is a positive integer and each R, independently, is H or a C.sub.1 C.sub.8 alkyl group; at least one aliphatic alkylating agent; and a cross-linking agent. Long term administration of the cross-linked polyamine salts of the invention increases HDL levels and decreases LDL levels in patients. The invention also provides for administration of the polymer salt colesevelam, in combination with an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor; the combined administration is effective in further lowering serum total-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels beyond that achieved by either agent alone.