Heart & lipids
HDL cholesterol
Also known as: HDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, “good” cholesterol
What it is
HDL cholesterol is the cholesterol carried by high-density lipoprotein particles, which help transport cholesterol away from tissues and back to the liver.
Why it matters
Higher HDL cholesterol has traditionally been associated with lower cardiovascular risk, though the relationship is not simple - very high HDL is not necessarily better, and HDL is best read alongside the rest of your lipid picture rather than on its own.
What “optimal” looks like
There is a healthy middle range rather than a “higher is always better” rule. Your clinician reads HDL in the context of your full lipid panel and overall risk.
This is general information, not medical advice or a diagnosis. Always discuss your results with a qualified clinician.
Related
See your own HDL cholesterol
bettr.now measures this and dozens of other markers, scores them against optimal, and reads them as one plain-English story.