HDL cholesterol (HDL-C)

The cholesterol carried in “good” particles that help clear cholesterol from the body.

What it measures

Cholesterol carried in high-density lipoprotein particles.

Why it matters

Very low HDL tracks with higher cardiovascular risk. But — importantly — raising HDL with drugs has NOT reduced heart attacks, so it is best read as a risk marker, not a lever to push directly.

Healthy target

> 1.0 mmol/L

How to read your value

Higher is generally reassuring, but chasing a high HDL number with supplements or medication doesn’t pay off. Very high HDL is not extra protective. Focus on LDL/ApoB, blood sugar and blood pressure instead.

What can affect it

• Physical activity tends to raise it
• Smoking lowers it; stopping raises it
• Genetics
• Very low-fat or high-sugar diets can lower it

Does the target differ by age or sex?

This one genuinely differs by sex: women naturally run higher, so a “low” HDL is usually flagged below about 1.0 mmol/L in men and 1.3 mmol/L in women. Levels can fall around menopause.

When to talk to a clinician

Low HDL rarely needs treatment on its own, but it flags overall metabolic and cardiovascular risk worth reviewing.