HDL Cholesterol
HDL Cholesterol
HDL (high-density lipoprotein) also known as "good" cholesterol, helps to remove excess fat from the bloodstream.
HDL (high-density lipoprotein) also known as "good" cholesterol, helps to remove excess fat from the bloodstream.
HDL Cholesterol
Normal range
Normal range
1-1.55 mmol/L
1-1.55 mmol/L
Normal range
1-1.55 mmol/L
1-1.55 mmol/L
Normal range
HDL Cholesterol
HDL Cholesterol
HDL (high-density lipoprotein) also known as "good" cholesterol, helps to remove excess fat from the bloodstream.
HDL Cholesterol
Normal range
1-1.55 mmol/L
Normal range
1-1.55 mmol/L
1-1.55 mmol/L
Normal range
HDL Cholesterol
HDL Cholesterol
HDL (high-density lipoprotein) also known as "good" cholesterol, helps to remove excess fat from the bloodstream.
HDL Cholesterol
Normal range
1-1.55 mmol/L
Normal range
1-1.55 mmol/L
1-1.55 mmol/L
Normal range
HDL Cholesterol
Dr. Yiannis Balanos
MBBS MRCGP
The Clean-up Crew Cholesterol
The Clean-up Crew Cholesterol
HDL cholesterol is often called "good" cholesterol because it acts as your cardiovascular system's clean-up crew. Unlike LDL cholesterol that can clog arteries, HDL cholesterol removes excess fat from your bloodstream and artery walls, transporting it back to your liver for disposal. Higher HDL levels provide powerful protection against heart disease and stroke.
HDL cholesterol is often called "good" cholesterol because it acts as your cardiovascular system's clean-up crew. Unlike LDL cholesterol that can clog arteries, HDL cholesterol removes excess fat from your bloodstream and artery walls, transporting it back to your liver for disposal. Higher HDL levels provide powerful protection against heart disease and stroke.
When HDL Cholesterol Runs Low
When HDL Cholesterol Runs Low
When HDL Cholesterol Runs Low
Discover why low HDL cholesterol means your body's cholesterol clean-up system is understaffed and your cardiovascular risk is elevated.
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When HDL Cholesterol Reaches Optimal Levels
When HDL Cholesterol Reaches Optimal Levels
When HDL Cholesterol Reaches Optimal Levels
Learn how HDL in optimal levels offers cardiovascular and metabolic benefits.
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What Influences Your HDL Cholesterol Levels
What Influences Your HDL Cholesterol Levels
What Influences Your HDL Cholesterol Levels
From exercise to genetics, learn the key factors that can dramatically boost or lower your body's protective cholesterol.
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Understanding Your Results
Understanding Your Results
Understanding Your Results
Analyse your HDL cholesterol numbers and know exactly what your levels mean for your heart health.
Read more
When HDL Cholesterol Runs Low
Low HDL cholesterol means your body's cholesterol clean-up system is understaffed. Without enough HDL to remove excess cholesterol from your arteries, you're at increased risk for plaque buildup, heart disease, and stroke—even if your total cholesterol appears normal.
Low HDL rarely causes symptoms you can feel, but it significantly increases your cardiovascular risk. You might have perfectly normal energy levels and feel healthy whilst your arteries are slowly accumulating cholesterol deposits that could lead to future heart problems.
The danger is that low HDL often occurs alongside other risk factors like high triglycerides, insulin resistance, and abdominal weight gain—a combination that increases heart disease risk. Low HDL can result from lack of physical activity, excess body weight, smoking, diets high in refined carbohydrates and sugars, genetics, diabetes, certain medications, or metabolic syndrome.
When HDL Cholesterol Runs Low
Low HDL cholesterol means your body's cholesterol clean-up system is understaffed. Without enough HDL to remove excess cholesterol from your arteries, you're at increased risk for plaque buildup, heart disease, and stroke—even if your total cholesterol appears normal.
Low HDL rarely causes symptoms you can feel, but it significantly increases your cardiovascular risk. You might have perfectly normal energy levels and feel healthy whilst your arteries are slowly accumulating cholesterol deposits that could lead to future heart problems.
The danger is that low HDL often occurs alongside other risk factors like high triglycerides, insulin resistance, and abdominal weight gain—a combination that increases heart disease risk. Low HDL can result from lack of physical activity, excess body weight, smoking, diets high in refined carbohydrates and sugars, genetics, diabetes, certain medications, or metabolic syndrome.
When HDL Cholesterol Runs Low
Low HDL cholesterol means your body's cholesterol clean-up system is understaffed. Without enough HDL to remove excess cholesterol from your arteries, you're at increased risk for plaque buildup, heart disease, and stroke—even if your total cholesterol appears normal.
Low HDL rarely causes symptoms you can feel, but it significantly increases your cardiovascular risk. You might have perfectly normal energy levels and feel healthy whilst your arteries are slowly accumulating cholesterol deposits that could lead to future heart problems.
The danger is that low HDL often occurs alongside other risk factors like high triglycerides, insulin resistance, and abdominal weight gain—a combination that increases heart disease risk. Low HDL can result from lack of physical activity, excess body weight, smoking, diets high in refined carbohydrates and sugars, genetics, diabetes, certain medications, or metabolic syndrome.
When HDL Cholesterol Reaches Optimal Levels
Optimal HDL cholesterol provides powerful cardiovascular protection by actively removing cholesterol from artery walls and transporting it to your liver for elimination. Think of it as having a highly efficient clean-up crew working around the clock to keep your arteries clear.
High HDL levels are associated with lower rates of heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular death. HDL also has anti-inflammatory properties that help protect artery walls from damage and may support cognitive function and longevity.
Women typically have higher HDL cholesterol levels than men, partly due to the effects of oestrogen. Research shows that oestrogen boosts and improves HDL function in the body, promoting cardioprotective effects.
When HDL Cholesterol Reaches Optimal Levels
Optimal HDL cholesterol provides powerful cardiovascular protection by actively removing cholesterol from artery walls and transporting it to your liver for elimination. Think of it as having a highly efficient clean-up crew working around the clock to keep your arteries clear.
High HDL levels are associated with lower rates of heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular death. HDL also has anti-inflammatory properties that help protect artery walls from damage and may support cognitive function and longevity.
Women typically have higher HDL cholesterol levels than men, partly due to the effects of oestrogen. Research shows that oestrogen boosts and improves HDL function in the body, promoting cardioprotective effects.
When HDL Cholesterol Reaches Optimal Levels
Optimal HDL cholesterol provides powerful cardiovascular protection by actively removing cholesterol from artery walls and transporting it to your liver for elimination. Think of it as having a highly efficient clean-up crew working around the clock to keep your arteries clear.
High HDL levels are associated with lower rates of heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular death. HDL also has anti-inflammatory properties that help protect artery walls from damage and may support cognitive function and longevity.
Women typically have higher HDL cholesterol levels than men, partly due to the effects of oestrogen. Research shows that oestrogen boosts and improves HDL function in the body, promoting cardioprotective effects.
What Influences Your HDL Cholesterol Levels
Factors That Decrease HDL Cholesterol: Several lifestyle and medical factors can lower your HDL cholesterol: lack of physical activity or sedentary lifestyle, excess body weight (especially abdominal fat), smoking cigarettes, diets high in refined carbohydrates and sugars, trans fats, diabetes and insulin resistance, certain medications, and genetics (some people naturally have lower HDL).
Factors That Increase HDL Cholesterol: Fortunately, many factors can boost your HDL cholesterol naturally: regular aerobic exercise and physical activity, maintaining healthy body weight, not smoking, low alcohol consumption (if you drink), healthy fats (olive oil, nuts, avocados, fatty fish), soluble fibre from oats, beans, and fruits, omega-3 fatty acids, and weight loss if overweight.
High-Risk Groups: You may be at higher risk for low HDL cholesterol if you are physically inactive or sedentary, overweight or obese (especially with abdominal fat), smoke cigarettes, have diabetes or insulin resistance, follow a diet high in refined carbohydrates, or have a family history of low HDL.
What Influences Your HDL Cholesterol Levels
Factors That Decrease HDL Cholesterol: Several lifestyle and medical factors can lower your HDL cholesterol: lack of physical activity or sedentary lifestyle, excess body weight (especially abdominal fat), smoking cigarettes, diets high in refined carbohydrates and sugars, trans fats, diabetes and insulin resistance, certain medications, and genetics (some people naturally have lower HDL).
Factors That Increase HDL Cholesterol: Fortunately, many factors can boost your HDL cholesterol naturally: regular aerobic exercise and physical activity, maintaining healthy body weight, not smoking, low alcohol consumption (if you drink), healthy fats (olive oil, nuts, avocados, fatty fish), soluble fibre from oats, beans, and fruits, omega-3 fatty acids, and weight loss if overweight.
High-Risk Groups: You may be at higher risk for low HDL cholesterol if you are physically inactive or sedentary, overweight or obese (especially with abdominal fat), smoke cigarettes, have diabetes or insulin resistance, follow a diet high in refined carbohydrates, or have a family history of low HDL.
What Influences Your HDL Cholesterol Levels
Factors That Decrease HDL Cholesterol: Several lifestyle and medical factors can lower your HDL cholesterol: lack of physical activity or sedentary lifestyle, excess body weight (especially abdominal fat), smoking cigarettes, diets high in refined carbohydrates and sugars, trans fats, diabetes and insulin resistance, certain medications, and genetics (some people naturally have lower HDL).
Factors That Increase HDL Cholesterol: Fortunately, many factors can boost your HDL cholesterol naturally: regular aerobic exercise and physical activity, maintaining healthy body weight, not smoking, low alcohol consumption (if you drink), healthy fats (olive oil, nuts, avocados, fatty fish), soluble fibre from oats, beans, and fruits, omega-3 fatty acids, and weight loss if overweight.
High-Risk Groups: You may be at higher risk for low HDL cholesterol if you are physically inactive or sedentary, overweight or obese (especially with abdominal fat), smoke cigarettes, have diabetes or insulin resistance, follow a diet high in refined carbohydrates, or have a family history of low HDL.
Understanding Your Results
HDL cholesterol levels are measured in millimoles per liter (mmol/L):
Male:
Low: <1.0 mmol/L
Normal: 1.0-1.55 mmol/L
Optimal: >1.55 mmol/L
Female:
Low: <1.3 mmol/L
Normal: 1.3-1.55 mmol/L
Optimal: >1.55 mmol/L
HDL cholesterol is most meaningful when evaluated alongside other lipid markers. The ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol is often more predictive of heart disease risk than individual cholesterol levels.
Understanding Your Results
HDL cholesterol levels are measured in millimoles per liter (mmol/L):
Male:
Low: <1.0 mmol/L
Normal: 1.0-1.55 mmol/L
Optimal: >1.55 mmol/L
Female:
Low: <1.3 mmol/L
Normal: 1.3-1.55 mmol/L
Optimal: >1.55 mmol/L
HDL cholesterol is most meaningful when evaluated alongside other lipid markers. The ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol is often more predictive of heart disease risk than individual cholesterol levels.
Understanding Your Results
HDL cholesterol levels are measured in millimoles per liter (mmol/L):
Male:
Low: <1.0 mmol/L
Normal: 1.0-1.55 mmol/L
Optimal: >1.55 mmol/L
Female:
Low: <1.3 mmol/L
Normal: 1.3-1.55 mmol/L
Optimal: >1.55 mmol/L
HDL cholesterol is most meaningful when evaluated alongside other lipid markers. The ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol is often more predictive of heart disease risk than individual cholesterol levels.
The Takeaway
HDL cholesterol is your cardiovascular system's best friend—the higher, the better. Unlike other cholesterol types where you want lower numbers, HDL cholesterol provides protection that increases with higher levels.
Most people can raise their HDL cholesterol through lifestyle changes, particularly regular exercise, weight management, and not smoking. Even modest improvements in HDL can provide significant cardiovascular benefits.
Don't overlook HDL cholesterol when reviewing your lipid panel. You might have acceptable total cholesterol but still face increased heart disease risk if your HDL is too low. Focus on lifestyle strategies that boost your body's natural cholesterol cleanup system for long-term heart health protection.
The Takeaway
HDL cholesterol is your cardiovascular system's best friend—the higher, the better. Unlike other cholesterol types where you want lower numbers, HDL cholesterol provides protection that increases with higher levels.
Most people can raise their HDL cholesterol through lifestyle changes, particularly regular exercise, weight management, and not smoking. Even modest improvements in HDL can provide significant cardiovascular benefits.
Don't overlook HDL cholesterol when reviewing your lipid panel. You might have acceptable total cholesterol but still face increased heart disease risk if your HDL is too low. Focus on lifestyle strategies that boost your body's natural cholesterol cleanup system for long-term heart health protection.
The Takeaway
HDL cholesterol is your cardiovascular system's best friend—the higher, the better. Unlike other cholesterol types where you want lower numbers, HDL cholesterol provides protection that increases with higher levels.
Most people can raise their HDL cholesterol through lifestyle changes, particularly regular exercise, weight management, and not smoking. Even modest improvements in HDL can provide significant cardiovascular benefits.
Don't overlook HDL cholesterol when reviewing your lipid panel. You might have acceptable total cholesterol but still face increased heart disease risk if your HDL is too low. Focus on lifestyle strategies that boost your body's natural cholesterol cleanup system for long-term heart health protection.
References
British Heart Foundation. (2023). HDL cholesterol and cardiovascular protection: Understanding the mechanisms and management strategies.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2023). Cardiovascular disease: risk assessment and reduction, including lipid modification. NICE guideline [CG181].
Rosenson, R. S., Brewer, H. B., Ansell, B. J., et al. (2016). Dysfunctional HDL and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Nature Reviews Cardiology, 13(1), 48-60.
Rader, D. J., & Hovingh, G. K. (2014). HDL and cardiovascular disease. The Lancet, 384(9943), 618-625.
References
British Heart Foundation. (2023). HDL cholesterol and cardiovascular protection: Understanding the mechanisms and management strategies.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2023). Cardiovascular disease: risk assessment and reduction, including lipid modification. NICE guideline [CG181].
Rosenson, R. S., Brewer, H. B., Ansell, B. J., et al. (2016). Dysfunctional HDL and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Nature Reviews Cardiology, 13(1), 48-60.
Rader, D. J., & Hovingh, G. K. (2014). HDL and cardiovascular disease. The Lancet, 384(9943), 618-625.
References
British Heart Foundation. (2023). HDL cholesterol and cardiovascular protection: Understanding the mechanisms and management strategies.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2023). Cardiovascular disease: risk assessment and reduction, including lipid modification. NICE guideline [CG181].
Rosenson, R. S., Brewer, H. B., Ansell, B. J., et al. (2016). Dysfunctional HDL and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Nature Reviews Cardiology, 13(1), 48-60.
Rader, D. J., & Hovingh, G. K. (2014). HDL and cardiovascular disease. The Lancet, 384(9943), 618-625.
Research articles
Research articles
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