High-density lipoprotein (HDL – good cholesterol) is a type of lipoprotein that brings back cholesterol from the cells to the liver.
HDL Cholesterol
Like LDL lipoprotein, HDL too helps to carry the fats and cholesterol within the water-based blood stream. In a cholesterol blood test, a high level of HDL cholesterol can indicate medical benefits like reduce the chance of cardiovascular disease; it thus called as good cholesterol.
Medical consideration for HDL good cholesterol
HDL can remove cholesterol from atheroma within arteries and bring it back to the liver for removal by excretion or re-utilization. That why HDL bound cholesterol is frequently called as good cholesterol. A higher level of HDL means a protection against cardiovascular diseases, and low level of HDL (less than 40 mg/dL) increases the chances for heart disease.
HDL brings back cholesterol, mostly to the liver or steroidogenic organs such as adrenals, ovary, and testes for the synthesis of steroid hormones.
HDL cholesterol ranges in a blood test
- Less than 40 mg/dL for men, less than 50 mg/dL for women or 1.03 mmol/L is consider as the low HDL level, which is high risk for heart disease.
- 40–59 mg/dL or 1.03–1.55 mmol/L is consider as the medium HDL level.
- Greater than 60 mg/dL or 1.55 mmol/L level is consider as high HDL level, which is the optimal or required condition consider to protective against heart diseases.