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Research HDL-C
Lipid Panel Atherosclerosis

HDL-C

Optimal Result: 39 - 80 mg/dL, or 1.01 - 2.07 mmol/L.

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is a type of cholesterol and is typically assessed in a blood test called a lipid profile, which is used to monitor lipid levels and determine an individual’s risk of developing heart disease. Frequently referred to as “good” cholesterol, HDL-C removes excess cholesterol from tissues and carries it to the liver for disposal. It is recommended that a lipid profile be done every four to six years in all adults with no risk factors for heart disease.

A test for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol may be ordered more frequently for those who have one or more risk factors for heart disease, including:

- Cigarette smoking

- Being overweight or obese

- Unhealthy diet

- Being physically inactive

- Age (men 45 years or older & women 55 years or older)

- Hypertension (high blood pressure)

- Family history of heart disease

- Diabetes

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels may also be monitored to evaluate the success of lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise or cessation of cigarette smoking.  It is worth noting that in women, pregnancy may cause changes in HDL.

Normal Ranges:

HDL level in mg/dL

Risk of heart disease (independent of other risk factors)

Less than 40 (men) or less than (50) women

Above average

40-50 (men) or 50-59 (women)

Average

60 or higher

Less than average

What does it mean if your HDL-C result is too high?

HDL cholesterol, often referred to as "good" cholesterol, has long been associated with cardiovascular health benefits. Traditionally, higher levels of HDL-C were thought to indicate a lower risk of heart disease, as HDL-C plays a crucial role in removing excess cholesterol from the bloodstream and transporting it to the liver for disposal. However, recent research has unveiled a more nuanced relationship between HDL-C levels and cardiovascular risk. Two prospective cohort studies have revealed a surprising paradox: extremely high HDL-C levels (above 80 mg/dL for men and above 100 mg/dL for women) are associated with increased mortality risk in both sexes. [L, L]. This finding challenges the conventional wisdom of "the higher, the better" regarding HDL-C levels. Instead, it suggests a U-shaped relationship between HDL-C and cardiovascular health, where both very low and very high levels may be detrimental. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain this paradoxical association:

  1. Genetic factors: Mutations in genes involved in HDL metabolism, such as SCARB1 or CETP, might lead to very high HDL-C levels while simultaneously increasing cardiovascular risk.
  2. HDL functionality: Extremely high HDL-C levels may indicate the presence of dysfunctional HDL particles that are less effective at performing their protective roles, such as reverse cholesterol transport and anti-inflammatory actions.
  3. Lifestyle factors: High alcohol consumption, which can raise HDL-C levels, might contribute to the increased mortality risk observed in individuals with very high HDL-C.
  4. Underlying health conditions: Certain diseases or metabolic disorders that affect lipid metabolism could result in both elevated HDL-C and increased health risks.

These findings highlight the importance of considering HDL-C levels within a broader context of overall health and other cardiovascular risk factors. They also underscore the need for further research into the qualitative aspects of HDL particles, not just their quantity. Healthcare providers may need to reassess their approach to lipid management, particularly for patients with very high HDL-C levels. Instead of focusing solely on raising HDL-C, a more comprehensive strategy that considers the entire lipid profile, including LDL-C and triglycerides, as well as other cardiovascular risk factors, may be more effective in reducing overall cardiovascular risk. Moreover, these studies emphasize the importance of personalized medicine in cardiovascular health. What's optimal for one individual may not be ideal for another, and factors such as genetics, lifestyle, and overall health status should be taken into account when interpreting lipid profiles and making treatment decisions.

In conclusion, while HDL-C remains an important factor in cardiovascular health, its relationship with disease risk is more complex than previously thought. This evolving understanding of lipid metabolism and cardiovascular risk underscores the need for ongoing research and a more nuanced approach to preventive cardiology.

What does it mean if your HDL-C result is too low?

High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) is known as good Cholesterol. HDL-C cholesterol protects agains heart disease by taking the "bad" cholesterol out of your blood and preventing it from building up in your arteries. The higher your HDL cholesterol number, the lower your risk of heart disease.

HDL-C levels are typically lower in people who have a metabolic syndrome—a cluster of conditions that include obesity, increased blood pressure, and high blood sugar levels. Low levels of HDL-C are undesirable in that a higher level would offer protection against heart attack and stroke.

There are some interventions known to increase HDL-C, including:

- Exercise

- Cessation of smoking

- Improving the diet (avoiding trans fats)

There are some drugs that can artificially raise HDL-C levels, but this is not associated with decreased risk of heart attacks or strokes.

Frequently asked questions

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Our data entry forms offer an easy, fast, and free way for you to input the reports yourself. Self-entry allows you to add an unlimited number of reports at no cost. We make the self-entry process user-friendly, providing dozens of templates that pre-populate the most popular laboratory panels and offering instant feedback on entered values.

For those who prefer assistance, we offer a "Data entry service" to help you input your data. Simply attach an image or file of your lab test results, and a qualified team member from our data entry team will add the results for you.

We support various file types, including PDFs, JPGs, or Excel. This service is particularly useful if you have many reports to upload or if you're too busy to handle the data entry yourself.

Our special data entry service makes it easy to add your results to your private dashboard. Just attach an image or a file of your lab test results, and our skilled data entry team will do the work for you. It's all done by humans, ensuring that your data is entered accurately and with personal care for each client.

Depending on your account, the data entry service can be included for free or come at an additional cost of $15 per report.

For users on the Complete monthly plan, the first report is entered free of charge, and each additional report incurs a fee of $15.

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Simply log in and navigate to your account settings to cancel your subscription. Scroll down to locate the 'Cancel' button at the bottom of the page. Ensure you cancel at least one day before the renewal date to prevent any charges. Once cancellation is requested, the subscription remains active until the conclusion of the current billing cycle.

Our goal has been to make your Healthmatters account as intuitive as possible.

We’ve crafted multiple ways for you to navigate your data, whether you're glancing at a single report or delving into your historical test reports.

1. Graph View:

Dive into a visual journey with our biomarker graphs, showcasing over 40 data points. Combining years of results unveils trends, empowering you to make informed decisions. Our visualization tools make it a breeze to compare and understand changes over time, even if your results are from different labs. A search function and filters simplify the exploration of extensive data, allowing you to focus on what needs attention.

2. All Tests View

Explore neatly organized reports on a timeline, highlighting crucial details like dates, critical results, and lab/panel names. Each report opens up to reveal in-depth descriptions and additional recommendations for each biomarker. The history of previous results is just a click away, and you can download a comprehensive report for deeper insights. Color-coded and user-friendly, it's designed for easy reading, understanding, and navigation.

3. Table View:

For a holistic view of all biomarkers side by side, our table view is your go-to. Results are neatly displayed in a categorized and dated table, ideal for those with an extensive test history. Utilize sorting, filters, and color-coding to enhance your analysis and gain extra insights.

Yes, you can download information from your account. We can compile your labs into a CSV file. To download all your labs, you can go to Account Settings, and at the bottom of the page, you will find a link to download your information.

Yes, you can print your report. To do so, navigate to "All tests" and open the report you wish to print. You'll find a print button in the right corner of the report. Click on it, and your browser's print window will open. If you prefer to print in a bigger typeface, adjust the scale using the print window settings.

Yes, you can! We highly recommend activating Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for your account. To do so, please navigate to the "Profile and Security" section of your account, where you will find instructions for activating 2FA.

Yes, you can. When entering values for the biomarker, you will see an "Edit Range" button. Click this button, and you'll have the option to enter a custom range.

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