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What Does a Low HDL in the Blood Mean?

Your health is important, and that is why you should have your cholesterol levels checked every few years. These numbers are your key to realizing how your lifestyle is affecting your health, and allows your doctor to know if you are at risk for life-threatening conditions.

  1. Identification

    • You have two main numbers that represent your cholesterol levels. These are your HDL, or your high-density lipoprotein, and your LDL, or your low-density lipoprotein.

    Significance

    • These are lipoproteins that serve as vehicles to carry fat through your circulatory system. This is how fatty deposits get to your arteries and how they get carried away from your arteries.

    Potential

    • A low HDL reading is below 40 mg/dL. A reading between 40 mg/dL and 60 mg/dL is considered average. A good HDL reading is above 60 mg/dL. When it comes to HDL, a higher number is better.

    Warning

    • The danger of low HDL is that you will be more likely to develop heart disease or have a heart attack or stroke. You can lessen this risk by keeping your HDL as high as possible.

    Prevention/Solution

    • You can help increase your HDL level by consuming less animal and partially hydrogenated fats, exercising for a minimum of 30 minutes a day at least four days of the week, and taking off pounds.

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