Some people struggle to define the difference between bad cholesterol and good cholesterol. In fact, many people think that all kinds of cholesterol are bad, that they often ask: “what is good HDL cholesterol?” Good cholesterol, or HDL cholesterol, is a friendly form of cholesterol that moves through the bloodstream, carefully picking out and removing bad cholesterol from wherever it shouldn’t be. If you have high levels of HDL, then chances are that you a lower risk of heart disease.

HDL is the short way to say high-density lipoprotein, and all the HDL cholesterol in your system is made up from a blob that is constructed out of a lipoprotein rim and a cholesterol. The particle for HDL cholesterol is often much denser than other cholesterol particles, which is why it’s typically known as “high density”.

The Benefits of HDL Cholesterol

If you’re still asking yourself “What is good HDL cholesterol?” it may be useful to learn that many scientists think that HDL cholesterol to be essential in reducing the risk of heart disease in many different ways. For example, HDL cholesterol removes buildups of LDL bad cholesterol, while acting as a kind of cleanup crew for blood vessels.

If you’re worried about whether you have enough good cholesterol in your system, it may be worth visiting a doctor to discuss the question of what is good HDL cholesterol, and get a lipid panel or cholesterol test. If your test shows HDL cholesterol levels that are greater than 60mg per deciliter, this is a good sign of high HDL level. On the other hand, if your HDL level is lower than 40mg per deciliter, this could be a sign that you need to find ways of raising your HDL number.

What Can You Do About Low HDL?

If your HDL level is low, there are a number of steps that can help reduce your risk of heart disease and boost your good cholesterol amount. For example, aerobic exercise for between thirty and sixty minutes through the week can improve HDL. What’s more, it’s a good idea to quit smoking, as tobacco automatically lowers your level of HDL, meaning that quitting leads to a quick increase in HDL level. Remember to also keep a healthy weight, as this can also help you to avoid obesity, numerous health problems, and bad cholesterol.

In some circumstances, you may find that your doctor recommends that you begin taking medications to raise your HDL levels. Keep in mind that there are a number of other factors that can contribute to heart health besides cholesterol, so simply boosting your HDL level may not be enough to eliminate most of the risk. As a result, most experts recommend that people constantly undergo frequent cholesterol testing. For most people, these tests will take place once every five years. However, for people who have problematic panels or other risk factors, more frequent tests may be required.

Remember, if you have a low HDL level, habit changes can make a huge difference to your well being.