|  | Conditions Treatments | Cholesterol

Low Levels of HDL Cholesterol

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) is one type of cholesterol; another is Low-density lipoprotein (LDL). HDL is the type known as the "good cholesterol," because it helps the human body prevent arteries from becoming clogged. However, in order to do this, the HDL level in the body needs to be within a certain range. If it isn't---and the level is too low (below 60 mg/dL)---the risk of having clogged arteries, and other complications, increases.

  1. Cholesterol Defined

    • Cholesterol, a waxy substance your body needs in order to do many important things (make hormones, Vitamin D, cell walls, and bile salts), is produced by your liver. Cholesterol is usually broken down into three categories: HDL, LDL, and triglycerides, and each of the three categories is assigned a numerical representation for measuring low, normal, and high ranges. In addition, there is also a total cholesterol level range too, which is a measurement of all three.

    Normal Levels

    • The lower the number the better for overall normal total cholesterol levels (at least less than 200 mg/dL), triglyceride levels (150 mg/dL or less), and LDL levels (under 100 mg/dL). But in contrast to the other three, the higher the numerical measurement the better when dealing with HDL cholesterol levels, since more of the "good cholesterol" is needed to keep heart disease at bay. A normal HDL for men ranges from 40 to 50 mg/dL and 50 to 60 mg/dL for women.

    Low Levels of HDL

    • Any HDL number below 40 mg/dL for men--and 50 mg/dL for women--is considered a low HDL level and can result in an increased risk for heart disease. HDL should be at least 60 mg/dL, but it would be better if it were even higher. However, sometimes lifestyle factors can reduce HDL levels.

    Causes of Low Levels

    • The lifestyle choices that can reduce your overall HDL levels are: being physically overweight, smoking, and not getting enough physical exercise. According to the American Heart Association, individuals should get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day--an hour if medically approved. In addition to lifestyle choices, there are other factors that can also reduce HDL levels. These include taking anabolic steroids or the hormones progesterone and testosterone.

    Heart Disease and Other Complications

    • HDL is responsible for removing excess LDL from the bloodstream and transporting it back to the liver for processing and removal from the body. But when there is an abundance of LDL--and not enough HDL---then the excess LDL not used by the body begins to cling to artery walls, instead. Eventually it turns into plaque, and begins to slow (or halt altogether) blood flow to the heart and other organs in the body. Over time, arteries narrow due to buildup of plaque. Then the flow of blood can become so restrained that a heart attack can occur, or organs and cells dependent upon the blood from that artery are damaged or die.

Cholesterol - Related Articles