High cholesterol can kill you. An elevated total blood cholesterol level increases your risk for potentially deadly heart attacks and strokes. But that's only part of the story. You have more than one type of cholesterol circulating in your bloodstream, and one -- high-density lipoprotein -- is the "good cholesterol" essential to good health.
Types of Cholesterol
The types of cholesterol and another fatty substance called triglycerides all contribute to your total cholesterol level. You have both the good cholesterol -- the HDL -- and its troublesome counterpart: low-density lipoprotein, also called "bad cholesterol." Most of the cholesterol in your body is LDL, and high levels of it increase your risk for heart attack and stroke. HDL, on the other hand, can help reduce your risk for these same potentially life-threatening events, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. Triglycerides aren't cholesterol, but they are a type of fat that can increase your risk for heart disease if levels are high.
Role of HDL
Medical researchers still are trying to determine how high-density lipoprotein works in the body and how it benefits you. Experts believe HDL carries away the bad cholesterol from the arteries and back to the liver, where it then can be excreted through the body, the American Heart Association reports. HDL also helps remove cholesterol from the plaque buildup in the arteries, scientists believe. The interplay between the two types of cholesterol continues to be investigated, but having a high HDL level appears beneficial even if your bad cholesterol level is also high. Ideally, though, you should strive to have a low LDL level and a high HDL level.
Cholesterol Levels
You should aim for a total cholesterol level of less than 200 mg/dL, the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute advises. Readings between 200 mg/dL and 239 mg/d: are considered borderline high, while levels higher than 240 mg/dL are clinically diagnosed as a high cholesterol level. Most of the cholesterol in your total reading comes from bad cholesterol, while the essential HDL cholesterol makes up between a quarter or a third of the total. HDL levels of 60 mg/dL can help lower your risk for heart disease, while HDL levels below 40 mg/dL can increase your risk. As for LDL levels, you ideally want to keep them below 100 mg/dL. Readings between 130 mg/dL and 159 mg/dL are borderline high, while those above 160 mg/dL are considered high.
Raising HDL
Because of the role it plays in protecting against heart disease, you should consider taking steps to raise your HDL level if yours is not as high as you and your doctor would like. While prescription drugs called statins can lower LDL levels, you're best bet at raising HDL levels is adopting a healthier lifestyle. Quitting smoking and losing weight if you are overweight or obese can help, Harvard Medical School reports. You should also try to exercise for a half-hour at least five times per week and change your diet to reduce your cholesterol and trans fat intake. Even an over-the-counter supplement such as niacin can help boost HDL levels, but you should only use supplements or drugs to treat your condition if under the care of a knowledgeable medical professional.
References
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute; High Blood Cholesterol: What You Need to Know?; June 2005
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Frequently Asked Questions About High Blood Cholesterol; Feb. 9, 2010
- American Heart Association; Good Vs. Bad Cholesterol; May 2, 2011
- Harvard Medical School; 5 Tips to Increase HDL Cholesterol; June 2008
