About HDL Cholesterol
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is often referred to as 'good' cholesterol because it helps remove other forms of cholesterol from the bloodstream. HDLs are composed of a higher proportion of protein to lipids, which allows them to transport cholesterol to the liver for excretion or re-utilization, effectively clearing excess cholesterol from arterial walls and reducing the risk of atherosclerosis.
Reference Values
Optimal Range
60.0 - 100.0 mg/dL
Elite Value
80.0 mg/dL
Health Implications
{'high': 'Elevated levels may indicate a lowered risk of cardiovascular disease, but in rare cases, extremely high HDL could also be linked to certain health conditions.', 'low': 'Low levels may be associated with an increased risk for heart disease and could suggest poor cholesterol transport efficiency in the body.'}
Symptoms
High
Often asymptomatic but may include fatigue, headaches, and chest pain indicative of underlying conditions.
Low
Usually asymptomatic but can include dizziness, weakness, and increased susceptibility to infections.
Lifestyle Factors
Specimen Type
Testing Methods
Also Known As
Scientific Sources
- 1. Rohatgi, A., Khera, A., Berry, J. D., Givens, E. G., Ayers, C. R., Wedin, K. E., ... & de Lemos, J. A. (2014). HDL cholesterol efflux capacity and incident cardiovascular events. *New England Journal of Medicine*, 371(25), 2383-2393.
- 2. Madsen, C. M., Varbo, A., & Nordestgaard, B. G. (2017). Extreme high high-density lipoprotein cholesterol is paradoxically associated with high mortality in men and women: two prospective cohort studies. *European Heart Journal*, 38(32), 2478-2486.
- 3. American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. (2018). 2018 AHA/ACC guideline on the management of blood cholesterol: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. *Circulation*, 139(25), e1082-e1143.
- 4. Rosenson, R. S., Brewer, H. B., Chapman, M. J., Fazio, S., Hussain, M. M., Kontush, A., ... & Watts, G. F. (2016). HDL and atherosclerosis: epidemiology, pathophysiology, therapeutics, and future directions: a statement from the National Lipid Association. *Journal of Clinical Lipidology*, 10(1), 130-150.
- 5. Ko, D. T., Alter, D. A., Guo, H., Koh, M., Lau, G., Austin, P. C., ... & Tu, J. V. (2016). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol and cause-specific mortality in individuals without previous cardiovascular conditions: the CANHEART study. *Journal of the American College of Cardiology*, 68(19), 2073-2083.