HDL Cholesterol

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol is considered beneficial because it acts as a scavenger, picking up excess cholesterol from artery walls and transporting it back to the liver where it is broken down and removed from the body. Higher HDL levels are associated with reduced risk of heart disease and stroke.

Desirable HDL levels are 60 mg/dL or higher, which is considered protective against heart disease. Levels below 40 mg/dL in men or 50 mg/dL in women are considered a risk factor. HDL levels are influenced by genetics, but can be improved through regular aerobic exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, and consuming healthy fats from sources like olive oil, nuts, and fatty fish.

While higher HDL has traditionally been viewed as universally beneficial, recent research has added nuance. Very high HDL levels above 80 mg/dL may not provide additional protection and could in some cases be associated with increased risk due to dysfunctional HDL particles. The ratio of total cholesterol to HDL and the ratio of triglycerides to HDL are increasingly viewed as more informative markers of cardiovascular risk than HDL alone.