Low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels can increase your heart risk. Having a low level of this "good" cholesterol is a concern, just as having high levels of triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol can have negative effects on your heart health. Show
Lifestyle choices, such as diet and exercise, and genetic factors can contribute to low HDL levels. This article explains the causes of low HDL, what the optimal levels are, and how HDL plays a role in your overall health. It also covers how you can raise your HDL levels. Causes of Low HDLA number of conditions and lifestyle choices play a role in lowering HDL levels. They include:
Why HDL MattersHDL removes cholesterol from your arteries and takes it to the liver for removal from the body, which protects you from clogged arteries that lead to a heart attack or stroke. Studies have shown that low HDL levels are linked to an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. This is especially true if other lipids in your blood, such as LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, are also high. Likewise, research suggests that, to a certain extent, high HDL levels are linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. It's important to understand that there is no direct, causal relationship found between HDL levels and having a heart attack or stroke, which suggests that other factors may be at play. A person's HDL level is just one piece of the health puzzle. How Are Cholesterol Levels Checked?Cholesterol levels are checked with a test called a lipid panel, which requires a blood draw. Lipid profiles test your HDL, LDL, and triglyceride levels. You may have to fast for eight to 12 hours prior to the blood draw to get an accurate test result. Optimal HDL LevelsOptimal HDL levels vary for women and men. The optimal levels are:
However, healthcare providers tend to focus less on the actual HDL number and more on a person's overall heart health. They then consider how the HDL number contributes to their assessment. For example, a person who is overweight and smokes may have a low HDL on a routine blood test. Instead of prescribing a medication to increase the HDL to a "normal" number, a healthcare provider may focus on smoking cessation counseling, exercise, and weight loss. These measures can all raise HDL. In fact, they may be as effective as medication in order to increase a person's HDL level. How Often Should You Have Cholesterol Checked?Healthy adults should have a lipid profile test every four to six years. Anyone who has diabetes, heart disease, or a family history of high cholesterol should be tested more frequently. Children and younger adults should have a lipid profile baseline established between ages 9 and 11 and again between ages 17 and 21. Cholesterol Healthcare Provider Discussion GuideGet our printable guide for your next healthcare provider's appointment to help you ask the right questions. Download PDF Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. Summary HDL is the "good" cholesterol that helps remove cholesterol from your
arteries. Higher levels are considered better for heart health. Normal levels are at least 40md/dL for men and 50 mg/dL for women. Your HDL level is important, but your healthcare provider will likely focus less on the number and more on what it means. That may mean lifestyle changes, which can put you in control of your weight, diet, smoking habits, and other contributing factors. Frequently Asked Questions
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By Jennifer Moll,
PharmD Thanks for your feedback! Is it better to have high HDL or low HDL?For HDL cholesterol, or "good" cholesterol, higher levels are better. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is known as the "good" cholesterol because it helps remove other forms of cholesterol from your bloodstream. Higher levels of HDL cholesterol are associated with a lower risk of heart disease.
What is a good range for HDL?HDL cholesterol levels greater than 60 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) are high. That's good. HDL cholesterol levels less than 40 mg/dL are low.
What happens if your HDL is low?This study found that lower HDL cholesterol levels were associated with a higher risk of death from cardiovascular causes, as prior studies have shown. However, there was also a higher risk of death from cancer and other causes compared with those having average levels of HDL cholesterol.
What is the ideal LDL and HDL levels?The following levels are considered to be "good" in healthy people: Total cholesterol: Levels below 200 mg/dL (5.2 mmol/L) LDL cholesterol: Levels below 130 mg/dL (3.4 mmol/L) HDL cholesterol: Levels above 40 mg/dL (1 mmol/L) in men and above 50 mg/dL (1.3 mmol/L) in women.
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