What is High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL)?

HDL is your "good" cholesterol. HDL helps the body get rid of "bad" LDL by carrying it back to your liver, where "bad" cholesterol is recycled or removed from the body. This is how HDL may help prevent cholesterol from building up in your arteries.

A high level of HDL in your body may give you greater protection from heart disease. A low level of HDL can increase your risk of heart disease. Think of a seesaw with HDL on one end and heart disease on the other. When HDL levels are high, your risk of heart disease may go down. When HDL levels are low, your risk of heart disease may go up. This is why you want your HDL level to be high. An easy way to help you remember that HDL is the "good" cholesterol is:

HDL Levels
High	60 mg/dL or higher
Low	Less than 40 mg/dL

What is:

• Cholesterol?
  
• Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL)?
  
• High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL)?
  
• Very Low-Density Lipoprotein (VLDL)?
  
• Triglycerides?