What Do HDL Readings Measure?
High density lipoprotein (
HDL)
cholesterol readings measure the "good" cholesterol in the blood. HDLs carry cholesterol in the blood from other parts of the body back to the liver, which leads to its removal from the body. So HDL helps keep cholesterol from building up in the walls of the arteries. If your HDL reading is below 40 mg/dL, you are at a substantially higher risk for
heart disease. The higher your HDL cholesterol level, the better.
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HDL Cholesterol Level
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HDL Cholesterol Category
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Less than 40 mg/dL
|
|
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40–59 mg/dL
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The higher, the better
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60 mg/dL and above
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Considered protective against heart disease
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The average HDL cholesterol reading for men is about 45 mg/dL; for women, it is about 55 mg/dL.
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