Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHealthy Cholesterol LevelsSymptoms of Low HDLComplicationsWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderRaising HDL Levels
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Healthy Cholesterol Levels
Symptoms of Low HDL
Complications
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Raising HDL Levels
HDL is considered “good"cholesterol, and all levels should be greater than 40 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).It is among lipids (essential fats) in your body that also includelow-density lipoprotein (LDL), phospholipids, andtriglycerides. Alipid paneltest measures HDL levels.
There are symptoms of diseases linked to low HDL levels and generally not the HDL itself.But low HDL does increase your risk for metabolic and cardiovascular disease, such as stroke, heart attack, premature coronary artery disease, andperipheralpolyneuropathy.
This article discusses low HDL, and related symptoms and complications including the risk of heart failure anddiabetes. It also covers when to see your healthcare provider.
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A healthy cholesterol level depends on your age and sex. The recommended levels are:
7 Causes of Low HDL Cholesterol Levels
The symptoms of low HDL levels aren’t always easy to distinguish. Most people don’t have symptoms because of the HDL level alone.They may not know they have low HDL levels until after a medical emergency, like aheart attackorstroke.
Regularly following up with your healthcare provider for routine bloodwork helps monitor for any disease risks, like a low HDL level. These risks due to low HDL levels include:
Rare Causes of Low HDL Cholesterol
A rare genetic disease calledTangier diseasecan cause there to be no HDL levels in the blood or extremely low levels.
Low HDL levels may cause deposits of cholesterol to form throughout the body. They commonly form in thereticuloendothelialsystem, which removes dead or diseased cells, tissues, and other substances from the body.
The low HDL levels in Tangier disease are associated with the following symptoms:
Other genetic diseases that can lead to low levels or altered HDL function include:
Consistently low HDL levels can worsen the symptoms of other health conditions. It may increase your risk for complications, like:
Researchers continue to study the role of low HDL levels in age-related macular degeneration, dementia disorders, immunity and infection, and more.
What Does It Matter If You Have High Cholesterol?
You most likely won’t experience any symptoms of a low HDL level, so it’s important to meet with a healthcare provider consistently for routine bloodwork to monitor for silent risk factors for disease.
If you are treated for your cholesterol levels, they may recommend first-line medications, calledstatins, to help lower LDL levels. This is generally considered a therapeutic priority (with more evidence of benefit) when compared to raising HDL levels.
A referral to a registered dietitian can help you understand how your diet affects your cholesterol levels and make personalized changes for your needs. Be sure to take the medications you’re prescribed to manage other health conditions, too, like treatment for type 2 diabetes. They can help prevent conditions in which a low HDL level is more likely to contribute to health problems.
When to Call 911 for Immediate HelpCall 911 or seek immediate medical attention if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms because they may be a sign of a heart attack or stroke:Chest discomfort, pressure, or squeezing sensationChest pain, particularly on the left side in malesShortness of breath or difficulty breathingWeakness on one side of the bodySlurred speechDrooping on one side of the faceConfusionSweating or a clammy feelingLoss of consciousness
When to Call 911 for Immediate Help
Call 911 or seek immediate medical attention if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms because they may be a sign of a heart attack or stroke:Chest discomfort, pressure, or squeezing sensationChest pain, particularly on the left side in malesShortness of breath or difficulty breathingWeakness on one side of the bodySlurred speechDrooping on one side of the faceConfusionSweating or a clammy feelingLoss of consciousness
Call 911 or seek immediate medical attention if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms because they may be a sign of a heart attack or stroke:
Certain lifestyle changes can help to boost your “good” HDL levels. They include:
Changing your diet, especially reducing the amount of saturated fat in food sources, can help to lower blood cholesterol levels.Limit fried foods, red meats and processed meats, trans fats, and processed foods. Moderation with alcohol intake is important, too.
Some studies show a lower risk of death from a heart-related cause in proportion to the amount of meat you replace with plant-based foods.Foods with HDL benefits can include:
Consider talking with your healthcare provider about the medications you take. Certain drugs, includingbeta blockersand the progestins in birth control pills, can lower HDL levels.
How to Raise Your HDL Levels
Summary
Not all cholesterol is bad for you—both LDL and HDL play important roles in the body. HDL is considered the “good” cholesterol because it helps to remove “bad” cholesterol and protect your health. The problem is when LDL levels get too high and HDL levels are too low.
Having low HDL levels doesn’t often cause symptoms, especially early on. It’s important to meet with a healthcare provider for routine visits and lab work to monitor your risk for chronic diseases, like heart disease and diabetes, that can be prevented through healthy lifestyle changes.
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.HDL: the good cholesterol.Merck Manuals.Etiology of Dyslipidemia.Nienov OH, Matte L, Dias LS, Schmid H.Peripheral polyneuropathy in severely obese patients with metabolic syndrome but without diabetes: association with low HDL-cholesterol.Rev Assoc Med Bras. 2017;63(4):324-331. doi:10.1590/1806-9282.63.04.324Koseki M, Yamashita S, Ogura M, Ishigaki Y, Ono K, Tsukamoto K,et al.Current Diagnosis and Management of Tangier Disease.J Atheroscler Thromb. 2021 Aug 1;28(8):802-810. doi:10.5551/jat.RV17053.Pavanello C, Ossoli A.HDL and chronic kidney disease.Atheroscler Plus. 2023 Apr 18;52:9-17. doi:10.1016/j.athplu.2023.04.001.Puig N, Miñambres I, Benítez S, Gil P, Grau-Agramunt M, Rivas-Urbina A,et al.Familial Combined Hyperlipidemia (FCH) Patients with High Triglyceride Levels Present with Worse Lipoprotein Function Than FCH Patients with Isolated Hypercholesterolemia.Biomedicines. 2020 Jan 6;8(1):6. doi:10.3390/biomedicines8010006.Kjeldsen EW, Nordestgaard LT, Frikke-Schmidt R.HDL Cholesterol and Non-Cardiovascular Disease: A Narrative Review.Int J Mol Sci.2021 Apr 27;22(9):4547. doi:10.3390/ijms22094547.Arnett DK, Blumenthal RS, Albert MA, Buroker AB, Goldberger ZD, Hahn EJ,et al.2019 ACC/AHA Guideline on the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines.Circulation. 2019 Sep 10;140(11):e596-e646. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000678.Harvard Health.4 foods not to eat if you have high cholesterol.Song M, Fung TT, Hu FB, Willett WC, Longo VD, Chan AT,et al.Association of Animal and Plant Protein Intake With All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality.JAMA Intern Med. 2016 Oct 1;176(10):1453-1463. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2016.4182.Estruch R, Lamuela-Raventós RM, Ros E.The bitter taste of extra virgin olive oil for a sweet long life.Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2020;75(15):1740-1742. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2020.02.043Baghery F, Mohammadifard N, Khanamani Falahati-Pour S.The effect of pistachio supplementation on metabolic syndrome and its components in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Nutrition Reviews. 2022;80(10):2051-2063. doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuac027MedlinePlus.Niacin for cholesterol.
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.HDL: the good cholesterol.Merck Manuals.Etiology of Dyslipidemia.Nienov OH, Matte L, Dias LS, Schmid H.Peripheral polyneuropathy in severely obese patients with metabolic syndrome but without diabetes: association with low HDL-cholesterol.Rev Assoc Med Bras. 2017;63(4):324-331. doi:10.1590/1806-9282.63.04.324Koseki M, Yamashita S, Ogura M, Ishigaki Y, Ono K, Tsukamoto K,et al.Current Diagnosis and Management of Tangier Disease.J Atheroscler Thromb. 2021 Aug 1;28(8):802-810. doi:10.5551/jat.RV17053.Pavanello C, Ossoli A.HDL and chronic kidney disease.Atheroscler Plus. 2023 Apr 18;52:9-17. doi:10.1016/j.athplu.2023.04.001.Puig N, Miñambres I, Benítez S, Gil P, Grau-Agramunt M, Rivas-Urbina A,et al.Familial Combined Hyperlipidemia (FCH) Patients with High Triglyceride Levels Present with Worse Lipoprotein Function Than FCH Patients with Isolated Hypercholesterolemia.Biomedicines. 2020 Jan 6;8(1):6. doi:10.3390/biomedicines8010006.Kjeldsen EW, Nordestgaard LT, Frikke-Schmidt R.HDL Cholesterol and Non-Cardiovascular Disease: A Narrative Review.Int J Mol Sci.2021 Apr 27;22(9):4547. doi:10.3390/ijms22094547.Arnett DK, Blumenthal RS, Albert MA, Buroker AB, Goldberger ZD, Hahn EJ,et al.2019 ACC/AHA Guideline on the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines.Circulation. 2019 Sep 10;140(11):e596-e646. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000678.Harvard Health.4 foods not to eat if you have high cholesterol.Song M, Fung TT, Hu FB, Willett WC, Longo VD, Chan AT,et al.Association of Animal and Plant Protein Intake With All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality.JAMA Intern Med. 2016 Oct 1;176(10):1453-1463. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2016.4182.Estruch R, Lamuela-Raventós RM, Ros E.The bitter taste of extra virgin olive oil for a sweet long life.Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2020;75(15):1740-1742. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2020.02.043Baghery F, Mohammadifard N, Khanamani Falahati-Pour S.The effect of pistachio supplementation on metabolic syndrome and its components in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Nutrition Reviews. 2022;80(10):2051-2063. doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuac027MedlinePlus.Niacin for cholesterol.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.HDL: the good cholesterol.Merck Manuals.Etiology of Dyslipidemia.Nienov OH, Matte L, Dias LS, Schmid H.Peripheral polyneuropathy in severely obese patients with metabolic syndrome but without diabetes: association with low HDL-cholesterol.Rev Assoc Med Bras. 2017;63(4):324-331. doi:10.1590/1806-9282.63.04.324Koseki M, Yamashita S, Ogura M, Ishigaki Y, Ono K, Tsukamoto K,et al.Current Diagnosis and Management of Tangier Disease.J Atheroscler Thromb. 2021 Aug 1;28(8):802-810. doi:10.5551/jat.RV17053.Pavanello C, Ossoli A.HDL and chronic kidney disease.Atheroscler Plus. 2023 Apr 18;52:9-17. doi:10.1016/j.athplu.2023.04.001.Puig N, Miñambres I, Benítez S, Gil P, Grau-Agramunt M, Rivas-Urbina A,et al.Familial Combined Hyperlipidemia (FCH) Patients with High Triglyceride Levels Present with Worse Lipoprotein Function Than FCH Patients with Isolated Hypercholesterolemia.Biomedicines. 2020 Jan 6;8(1):6. doi:10.3390/biomedicines8010006.Kjeldsen EW, Nordestgaard LT, Frikke-Schmidt R.HDL Cholesterol and Non-Cardiovascular Disease: A Narrative Review.Int J Mol Sci.2021 Apr 27;22(9):4547. doi:10.3390/ijms22094547.Arnett DK, Blumenthal RS, Albert MA, Buroker AB, Goldberger ZD, Hahn EJ,et al.2019 ACC/AHA Guideline on the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines.Circulation. 2019 Sep 10;140(11):e596-e646. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000678.Harvard Health.4 foods not to eat if you have high cholesterol.Song M, Fung TT, Hu FB, Willett WC, Longo VD, Chan AT,et al.Association of Animal and Plant Protein Intake With All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality.JAMA Intern Med. 2016 Oct 1;176(10):1453-1463. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2016.4182.Estruch R, Lamuela-Raventós RM, Ros E.The bitter taste of extra virgin olive oil for a sweet long life.Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2020;75(15):1740-1742. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2020.02.043Baghery F, Mohammadifard N, Khanamani Falahati-Pour S.The effect of pistachio supplementation on metabolic syndrome and its components in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Nutrition Reviews. 2022;80(10):2051-2063. doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuac027MedlinePlus.Niacin for cholesterol.
MedlinePlus.HDL: the good cholesterol.
Merck Manuals.Etiology of Dyslipidemia.
Nienov OH, Matte L, Dias LS, Schmid H.Peripheral polyneuropathy in severely obese patients with metabolic syndrome but without diabetes: association with low HDL-cholesterol.Rev Assoc Med Bras. 2017;63(4):324-331. doi:10.1590/1806-9282.63.04.324
Koseki M, Yamashita S, Ogura M, Ishigaki Y, Ono K, Tsukamoto K,et al.Current Diagnosis and Management of Tangier Disease.J Atheroscler Thromb. 2021 Aug 1;28(8):802-810. doi:10.5551/jat.RV17053.
Pavanello C, Ossoli A.HDL and chronic kidney disease.Atheroscler Plus. 2023 Apr 18;52:9-17. doi:10.1016/j.athplu.2023.04.001.
Puig N, Miñambres I, Benítez S, Gil P, Grau-Agramunt M, Rivas-Urbina A,et al.Familial Combined Hyperlipidemia (FCH) Patients with High Triglyceride Levels Present with Worse Lipoprotein Function Than FCH Patients with Isolated Hypercholesterolemia.Biomedicines. 2020 Jan 6;8(1):6. doi:10.3390/biomedicines8010006.
Kjeldsen EW, Nordestgaard LT, Frikke-Schmidt R.HDL Cholesterol and Non-Cardiovascular Disease: A Narrative Review.Int J Mol Sci.2021 Apr 27;22(9):4547. doi:10.3390/ijms22094547.
Arnett DK, Blumenthal RS, Albert MA, Buroker AB, Goldberger ZD, Hahn EJ,et al.2019 ACC/AHA Guideline on the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines.Circulation. 2019 Sep 10;140(11):e596-e646. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000678.
Harvard Health.4 foods not to eat if you have high cholesterol.
Song M, Fung TT, Hu FB, Willett WC, Longo VD, Chan AT,et al.Association of Animal and Plant Protein Intake With All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality.JAMA Intern Med. 2016 Oct 1;176(10):1453-1463. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2016.4182.
Estruch R, Lamuela-Raventós RM, Ros E.The bitter taste of extra virgin olive oil for a sweet long life.Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2020;75(15):1740-1742. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2020.02.043
Baghery F, Mohammadifard N, Khanamani Falahati-Pour S.The effect of pistachio supplementation on metabolic syndrome and its components in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Nutrition Reviews. 2022;80(10):2051-2063. doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuac027
MedlinePlus.Niacin for cholesterol.
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