HDL Cholesterol
The GOOD Cholesterol
Is your heart at risk?
You can have low or borderline Total Cholesterol Level, but still be at risk for coronary heart disease if your
HDL level is too low. HDL cholesterol is considered your "good" cholesterol because it can pick up "bad"
cholesterol and transport it to your liver, where your body can get rid of it. High levels of HDL cholesterol
can protect your arteries from cholesterol build-up (formed by "bad" cholesterol) and reduce your risk of
heart disease. Your HDL level should be 45 mg/dL or higher to be considered a low risk and Total
Cholesterol / HDL Ratio should be 4.5 or lower.
The Importance of HDL Cholesterol Testing
Your risk of heart disease increases as the level of HDL cholesterol decreases. In fact, the National
Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) adult treatment guidelines now recommend testing for HDL
cholesterol as well as total cholesterol for accurate assessment of cardiac risk. Total cholesterol testing
alone can be misleading.
Approximately 40% of the U.S. population (40 out of 100) who are only tested for total cholesterol could
misinterpret their results:
17% (17 out of 100) tested don't realize they could be at risk due to their low HDL cholesterol level
(<45mg/dL).
23% (23 out of 100) tested may over estimate their risk because their HDL cholesterol level is high
(>60mg/dL), indicating added protection from heart disease.
How do you raise HDL?
You we can lower total cholesterol by cutting down on fat in the diet, especially saturated fat. Generally, the
best way to raise HDL levels is with exercise and weight loss. If you smoke, quitting can raise your HDL
level.
Is Your Heart At Risk?
High total cholesterol is a leading indicator of potential heart disease, but testing for total cholesterol alone
can be misleading. Low levels of HDL cholesterol increase your potential for heart disease, even when your
total cholesterol level is low. The National Cholesterol Education Program adult treatment guidelines
specifically recommend measuring HDL cholesterol as well as total cholesterol to best assess coronary
heart disease risk.
Patient Education
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