At a Glance
Why Get Tested?
To find out the risk of developing heart disease
When to Get Tested?
As part of a health check with a cholesterol test or lipid profile particularly if you:
Sample Required?
A blood sample taken from a vein in the arm or from a finger-prick
The Test Sample
What is being tested?
HDL is one of the classes of lipoproteins that carry cholesterol in the blood. HDL is thought to be beneficial because it removes excess cholesterol from tissues and carries it to the liver for disposal. Hence HDL cholesterol is often called “good” cholesterol. The test for HDL measures the amount of HDL-cholesterol in blood.
How is the sample collected for testing?
The test for HDL-cholesterol uses a blood sample. Most often the blood sample is collected from a vein. Sometimes HDL-cholesterol is measured using a drop of blood collected by puncturing the skin on a finger. A finger-prick sample is typically used when HDL-cholesterol is being measured on a portable testing device. Since this test is usually performed as part of a full lipid profile, fasting for 12 hours may be required.
NOTE: If undergoing medical tests makes you or someone you care for anxious, embarrassed, or even difficult to manage, you might consider reading one or more of the following articles: Coping with Test Pain, Discomfort, and Anxiety, Tips on Blood Testing, Tips to Help Children through Their Medical Tests, and Tips to Help the Elderly through Their Medical Tests.
Another article, Follow That Sample, provides a glimpse at the collection and processing of a blood sample and throat culture.
The Test
How is it used?
The test of HDL cholesterol is used to help find out your risk of developing heart disease. If a high cholesterol is due to high HDL, a person is probably at low risk and further testing or treatment for high cholesterol is not advised.
When is it requested?
HDL is usually requested with other tests, either with cholesterol or as part of a lipid profile, including LDL and triglycerides. The combination of total cholesterol and HDL is very useful for screening for the risk ofheart disease since it is not necessary to fast for these two tests. In contrast, a more complete lipid profile requires fasting for at least 12 hours.
HDL cholesterol as part of the lipid profile may be requested more frequently for those who have one or more risk factors for heart disease. Major risk factors include:
For children and adolescents at low risk, lipid testing is not requested routinely. However, screening with a lipid profile is recommended for children and youths who are at an increased risk of developing heart disease. Some of the risk factors in children and young people are the same as those in adults and include a family history of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or being overweight. HDL cholesterol levels may be requested at intervals to evaluate lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise or smoking cessation aimed at increasing your level of HDL cholesterol.
What does the test result mean?
High levels of HDL cholesterol are better than low HDL cholesterol. The higher your HDL cholesterol level, the lower risk of developing heart disease. There are two ways that HDL cholesterol values are interpreted—as a percent of total cholesterol or as a measured value.
- Percent: If HDL is 20% of the total cholesterol, the risk of heart disease is average. If HDL is more than 20% of the total cholesterol, the risk of heart disease is less than average. This is usually expressed as a ratio of cholesterol to HDL. It is desirable for the cholesterol/HDL ratio to be less than 5.
- Measured Value: If HDL cholesterol is less than 1.0 mmol/L in men or less than 1.2 mmol/L in women, there is an increased risk of heart disease. A desirable level of HDL is greater than 1.0 mmol/L for men and greater than 1.2mmol/L for women and is associated with average risk of heart disease. A good level of HDL is 1.5 mmol/L or more and is associated with a less than average risk of heart disease.
HDL should be interpreted in the context of the overall findings from the lipid profile and in consultation with your doctor about other risk factors for heart disease.
Is there anything else I should know?
HDL cholesterol should not be measured when a person is suddenly unwell. Cholesterol is temporarily low during sudden illness, immediately following a heart attack, or during stress (like from surgery or an accident). You should wait at least 6 weeks after any illness to have cholesterol measured.
In women, HDL cholesterol may change during pregnancy. You should wait at least six weeks after your baby is born to have your HDL-cholesterol measured.
Common Questions
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Article Sources
NOTE: This article is based on research that utilizes the sources cited here as well as the collective experience of the Lab Tests Online Editorial Review Board. This article is periodically reviewed by the Editorial Board and may be updated as a result of the review. Any new sources cited will be added to the list and distinguished from the original sources used.
