The body produces two main types of cholesterol--HDL and LDL. HDL is good, while LDL, in excess, is bad. The job of HDL is to travel through the bloodstream and carry away the excess amounts of LDL from the arteries so it can be excreted from the body. When levels of HDL are too low, it is unable to effectively do this, thus increasing a person's risk for heart disease.
Step 1
Quit smoking. Smoking is harmful to the human body in more ways than one, including lowering levels of HDL in the body. It causes chemical changes in HDL cholesterol, reducing its beneficial effects. In addition, it causes the blood to clot, increasing the risk of heart attack. The Mayo Clinic says quitting can increase HDL levels by as much as 10 percent. Aside from the numerous over-the-counter smoking cessation aids, a doctor can prescribe medications to help a person kick the habit.
Step 2
Make exercise and physical activity a priority. Thomas H. Lee, MD, editor in chief of Harvard Medical School's, "Harvard Heart Letter," recommends increasing physical activity to increase HDL cholesterol. The Mayo Clinic agrees, stating those currently living a sedentary lifestyle can see an improvement of as much as 10 percent within two months of beginning an exercise routine. The Mayo Clinic recommends 30 minutes a day of brisk aerobic exercise, five days a week. Patients can choose from swimming, running, walking and cycling, or any activity they enjoy as long as it increases their heart rate.
Step 3
Maintain a healthy weight. Maintaining a healthy weight plays a pivotal role in HDL levels. Overweight people can see positive change in their HDL levels by simply losing two pounds--this can increase good cholesterol by .35 mg/dL, the measurement of cholesterol in the blood. Six pounds of weight loss increases HDL by 1 mg/dL. Over time this can have an impact on a person's health. If you need guidance, speak to your doctor about a healthy eating plan to meet your personal needs.
Step 4
Choose fats carefully. Only 25 percent to 35 percent of a person's total calories should come from fats, while 7 percent of these fats should be saturated, according to the Mayo Clinic. Saturated fats come from animal products like red meats, eggs and dairy products.
Just as certain fats have a negative impact on HDL cholesterol, other fats have a positive affect. These include both polyunsaturated and monounsaturated, both of which are found in olive, peanut and canola oils, and help increase HDL levels.
Step 5
Talk to the doctor about prescription medications. When all else fails and lifestyle changes aren't enough, the doctor may choose to add prescription medications to the treatment plan. While most medications help lower LDL cholesterol, certain medications help increase HDL. One of these medications is gemfibrozil, which belongs to a class of drugs known as fibrates. According to Lee, patients taking these drugs see an approximate increase of 4 mg/dL in their HDL.
Another option is niacin. This drug, on average, increases HDL blood cholesterol levels by 7 mg/dL. Both of these drugs have side effects, most mild, however they should be discussed with the prescribing physician before taking them.
