High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C)

Ordering the High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) Test with Boston Heart Diagnostics

HDL (high-density lipoprotein), or “good” cholesterol, is a lipid-protein molecule that absorbs cholesterol and carries it back to the liver. The liver then metabolizes and eliminates the cholesterol from the body. Each molecule of HDL cholesterol is a microscopic blob that consists of a lipoprotein surrounding a cholesterol center.

The HDL cholesterol particle is dense compared to other types of cholesterol particles; that’s why it is called high-density.

A cholesterol test can help the physician determine the risk of the buildup of fatty plaques in a patient’s arteries that can lead to narrowed or blocked arteries throughout the body, also known as atherosclerosis.

HDL cholesterol acts as a maintenance molecule for the endothelium of blood vessels. Damage to these inner walls is the first step in the process of atherosclerosis, which causes heart attacks and strokes.

Which Patients is the High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) Test with Boston Heart Diagnostics Best Used For?

• The physician may order a cholesterol test as part of a routine exam.
• The American Heart Association recommends that all adults age 20 or older have their cholesterol checked every four to six years.
• It is important to request a cholesterol test if the individual has a family history of heart disease.
• Or if the patient is at high risk for cardiovascular disease.
  

HDL Levels

• HDL cholesterol levels greater than 60 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) are good.
• HDL cholesterol levels lower than 40 mg/dL are low.
• Higher HDL cholesterol levels can lower the risk of heart disease and stroke.

*Note: Please be advised that Boston Heart Diagnostics policy states that practitioners are unable to order labs on themselves or their immediate family members.