HDL Cholesterol

How HDL Cholesterol Benefits Your Health

Optimal levels of HDL cholesterol have many health benefits, including:

• Reduce the risk of plaque buildup in the arteries.
• Help to reduce blood oxidants and free radicals that contribute to inflammation.
• Help to prevent blood clots.

Diagnosis of Low HDL Cholesterol (Hypoalphalipoproteinemia)

Low HDL cholesterol typically does not cause any noticeable symptoms and often goes undiagnosed and untreated. The only way to diagnose the condition is through regular blood tests, often performed at an annual physical exam. The frequency of testing will vary depending on baseline findings and your risk factors for heart disease, including a family history.

In general, optimal levels are 50 mg/dL or higher in adults.

What Causes Low HDL?

There are several factors that can cause or contribute to low HDL levels, including:

• Some medications like beta-blockers and diuretics.
• Genetic conditions like familial HDL deficiency or Tangier disease.
• Certain medical conditions, including hypothyroidism, metabolic syndrome and hypertriglyceridemia.

In many cases, however, low HDL levels are primarily the result of lifestyle choices and can be managed by making certain lifestyle changes.

Managing Low HDL with Lifestyle Modifications

The goal of treatment is to achieve and maintain optimal HDL levels. In many cases, this can be achieved through lifestyle modifications alone, including:

• Increase physical activity. A sedentary lifestyle increases the risk for low HDL cholesterol.
• Lose weight. Obesity is a major risk factor for low HDL and related conditions.
• Eat a healthy diet. A low-sodium diet high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains can help raise HDL levels. Foods high in saturated fat and trans-fat and highly processed foods should be avoided or eliminated.
• Quit smoking. Quitting smoking can significantly raise HDL levels in a relatively short amount of time.