HDL Cholesterol
HDL is often called "good" cholesterol — it helps carry excess cholesterol away from artery walls back to the liver. Unlike LDL, higher HDL is generally protective, not a warning sign.
Your reading
40–80 mg/dL is the typical adult range; below 40 is considered a risk factor for heart disease on its own, independent of your other numbers.
What may help
- —Regular aerobic exercise — one of the most reliable ways to raise HDL
- —Replacing trans fats and refined carbs with unsaturated fats (olive oil, avocado, nuts)
- —Quitting smoking, which measurably lowers HDL while you smoke
When to talk to a doctor
If your HDL is persistently low despite lifestyle changes, or low alongside high LDL/triglycerides — worth a broader conversation about cardiovascular risk, not just this one number.
Source: American Heart Association. Reference ranges are standard adult intervals — your own lab may report a different range for your age, sex, or method. This isn't medical advice; always go by the range on your actual results and talk to a clinician about anything that concerns you.