Of the two types of cholesterol, HDL is the good kind. You want your level of HDL cholesterol to be high, says the American Heart Association. On the other hand, you want your level of LDL or bad cholesterol, to be low. Your total cholesterol level should also be low.
Types
Cholesterol is a waxy substance that occurs naturally in your body. It can't dissolve in blood, so two types of transporting agents, called lipoproteins, carry cholesterol through the blood to various parts of your body. Cholesterol is classified according to the type of lipoprotein that carries it. HDL stands for high-density lipoprotein and LDL stands for low-density lipoprotein.
Features
Some cholesterol is necessary for your body to function well, but if the blood contains too much LDL cholesterol, it can accumulate in the arteries, harden and eventually restrict the flow of blood. This can lead to coronary heart disease. HDL is good cholesterol because it carries excess cholesterol away from the artery walls and other parts of your body to the liver. The liver then removes it from the body.
Considerations
When you have your cholesterol levels checked, the report showing the results will show the levels in units designated as mg/dL. This stands for milligrams per 1 deciliter of blood.
Normal Range
An HDL cholesterol reading of 60 mg/dL or above is high enough to protect against heart disease, according to the American Heart Association. However, the average HDL reading for American adults is 54.3 mg/dL. A low HDL level is one below 50 mg/dL for women and below 40 mg/dL for men. Levels this low constitute a major risk factor for heart disease. The average HDL level for women ranges from 50 to 60 mg/dL and for men the average ranges from 40 to 50 mg/dL.
Risk Factors
Factors that can contribute to low HDL cholesterol levels include lack of exercise, being overweight and smoking. You can help raise your HDL level by exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding tobacco smoke.
