Cardiac Rehabilitation

Can HDL cholesterol be too high?

11/29/2007 03:09AM

Question:

I wonder if HDL cholesterol can be too high, while the LDL is low. If so, should I lower my HDL cholesterol? Thank you.

Answer:

HDL cholesterol, or so-called "good" cholesterol, is one of three different kinds of cholesterol in your body. The other two kinds are LDL and VLDL cholesterol. HDL stands for high-density lipoprotein. The lipoproteins are a kind of fatty protein cell that carries fat around in your body and in your bloodstream. HDL cholesterol refers to the kind of cholesterol that is carried in the high-density lipoproteins.
HDL cholesterol does not contribute to the arterial plaque that causes coronary heart disease, and in fact, some think that HDL cholesterol can help to reduce arterial plaque. HDL cholesterol can not be 'too high'. In fact most of our treatments (lifestyle changes and medications) are aimed at increasing HDL and lowering the 'bad' cholesterol (LDL).

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Response by:

Karen Kutoloski, DO
Director, Cardiac Rehabilitation and Assistant Professor
Heart and Vascular Center
MetroHealth Medical Center
School of Medicine
Case Western Reserve University