What Are Treatments for Low HDL?

HDL is also known as "good" cholesterol because it helps keep your arteries free from harmful fatty deposits. When your HDL level gets too low, you are at greater risk for heart disease, heart attack and stroke.

Considerations

• A good HDL level is 60 milligrams per deciliter of blood. A poor HDL level is less than 40 milligrams per deciliter of blood for men and less than 50 milligrams per deciliter of blood for women.

Smoking

• Your lifestyle plays an important role in treating low HDL and raising your levels. For example, if you quit smoking, you could raise your HDL by as much as 15 percent to 20 percent.

Diet

• Your diet is also important. Add foods including oatmeal, walnuts, olive oil, salmon, tuna, whole wheat, any food fortified with plant sterols, and wine. Cut out anything with high saturated fat or any trans fat content.

Exercise

• Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day three days a week; 60 minutes a day four or five days a week is even better. If you can exercise daily, you will give your health an extra boost.

Prescriptions

• If lifestyle modifications are not enough to raise your HDL to a minimum of 40 milligrams per deciliter of blood for men and 50 milligrams per deciliter of blood for women, then your doctor might recommend prescription-strength niacin or medications like fibrates or statins.