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Blood High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Level (HDL)

High levels of high density lipoproteins (HDL) in your body are good because they carry dangerous cholesterol away from your heart and blood vessels. A simple test can gauge whether your HDL levels are adequate.

High-density lipoproteins (HDL) in your body combine with cholesterol to carry it away from the heart and blood vessels in order to be excreted. The higher your HDL, the lower your risks of coronary heart disease and heart attacks.

A lower cholesterol/HDL ratio (less than 5) indicates a lower risk of heart disease in both men and women. Because women generally have much more of the protective HDL cholesterol, they are less likely to experience coronary heart disease. If your HDL is below 40 milligrams, you are more at risk of a heart attack, while a level of 40 to 54 is considered average, and over 55 milligrams is considered very good.

If your HDL level is low, it may be difficult to raise it to satisfactory levels because it is easier to lower cholesterol levels than it is to raise HDL. Weight loss and exercise may help. If you smoke, quitting may also be effective. Drinking a glass or two of wine, particularly red wine, a few times a week or even daily may also be helpful.