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What Happens When HDL Is Very Low?

While you probably hear plenty of warnings about the dangers of high cholesterol, there is one type of cholesterol that is beneficial in elevated levels; high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, cholesterol can protect you from coronary heart disease and its dangerous effects by removing plaque buildup in the arteries, according to the American Heart Association. Meanwhile, recent research from the University College London suggests that insufficient HDL may also lead to memory loss and dementia.

  1. HDL Levels

    • The Mayo Clinic states that average HDL levels for men range from 40 to 50 milligrams per deciliter of blood, or mg/dL, while average levels for women are 50 to 60 mg/dL. The risk of coronary heart disease increases when HDL is below 40 mg/dL in men and 50 mg/dL in women and is reduced at levels of 60 mg/dL or above in both sexes.

    Heart Disease

    • HDL cholesterol directs excess blood cholesterol to the liver to be cleared from the body, says the American Heart Association. Without adequate HDL to reduce dangerous levels of low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, you increase your risk for atherosclerosis; this condition is characterized by hard, thick arteries caused by the buildup of plaque and can result in reduced or blocked blood flow to the heart. Atherosclerosis can lead to coronary heart disease which may, in turn, cause heart attack or stroke.

    Memory Loss

    • A study published in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology: Journal of the American Heart Association in 2008 also links low HDL with memory loss and dementia; experts at the UCLA Center for Cholesterol and Lipid Management theorize that low HDL levels leave the vascular system susceptible to inflammation and oxidation; a damaged vascular system may reduce blood flow to the brain and result in "mini strokes."

    Medications

    • If your HDL levels are too low, your doctor may prescribe either fibrate or niacin medications or a combination of both. Information from Harvard Medical School states that fibrates such as gemfibrozil and fenofibrate can raise HDL by 4 mg/dL while niacin can raise levels by about 7 mg/dL (references 3); both drugs are effective at reducing LDL cholesterol as well. The downside to these medications is their common side effects which may include gas, diarrhea, upset stomach and skin rash from fibrates or tingling, itching, flushed skin from niacin.

    HDL Diet

    • Lifestyle changes can also make a difference in your HDL levels. Avoiding foods that are rich in saturated fats and trans fats can reduce dangerous LDL cholesterol and raise HDL. Rather than going on a very low-fat diet, which can actually reduce HDL levels, opt for foods that contain heart-healthy unsaturated fats like nuts, olive oil and fatty fish, to replace saturated fats. Moderate alcohol consumption, meaning one drink per day for women and two for men, can also raise HDL cholesterol, according to Harvard University.

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