Skip to content

Body measures and lab tests

HDL cholesterol

HDL cholesterol, often called good cholesterol, is carried by particles that move cholesterol from the body back to the liver for removal.

Clinician review pending Updated Body measures and lab tests
DefinitionHDL cholesterol, often called good cholesterol, is carried by particles that move cholesterol from the body back to the liver for removal.

What it means

HDL stands for high-density lipoprotein. A higher HDL level is generally linked with lower risk of heart disease and stroke, which is why it is called the good cholesterol.

MedlinePlus lists these healthy HDL levels:

  • Age 19 or younger: above 45 mg/dL
  • Men 20 or older: above 40 mg/dL
  • Women 20 or older: above 50 mg/dL

Low HDL is one of the five features of metabolic syndrome. Regular aerobic exercise, weight loss, not smoking and limiting refined carbohydrates can help raise it. Some medicines and diabetes can lower it.

Researchers now know that raising HDL with drugs does not reliably lower heart risk, so clinicians focus mostly on lowering LDL and treating other risk factors. HDL is read as part of the whole lipid panel, not on its own.

Why it matters

HDL often rises with weight loss and exercise, a heart-health gain that shows up on routine blood work.

Related terms

LDL cholesterolTriglyceridesMetabolic syndromeCardiovascular disease

Sources

  1. MedlinePlus: HDL, the good cholesterol

Clinician review pending. Drafted from primary sources and waiting for sign-off by a licensed clinician (MD, DO or PharmD) before launch. Every number is checked against its source. Drug facts are re-checked quarterly, prices monthly and whenever a label changes. How we review · Report an error