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What Is The Normal Range For HDL Cholesterol?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is one of the major types of cholesterol found in the body. It plays an important role in the health of your heart and can help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. So, if you want to keep your heart healthy, it’s important to know what your HDL cholesterol level should be. Here, we explore the normal range for HDL cholesterol, and some ways to get your levels to where they should be.
What’s the Normal Range for HDL Cholesterol?
The normal range for HDL cholesterol is usually considered to be 40-60 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). Having an HDL level that is above this range is generally viewed as beneficial, while an HDL level that is below 40 mg/dL is viewed as being low. Although having a level below 40 isn’t necessarily unhealthy, it may still increase your risk of developing heart disease.
How Can My HDL Cholesterol Level Be Raised?
If your HDL cholesterol level is lower than it should be, there are a few ways to increase it. The most important of these are:
- Exercising at least 30 minutes per day, five days per week.
- Eating a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.
- Maintaining a healthy weight.
- Eliminating smoking and reducing or avoiding alcohol.
- Limiting your intake of saturated fat and trans fat.
When Should I Be Tested?
If you don’t already have one, having an HDL cholesterol test is an important part of maintaining your overall health. The best time to get tested is usually between the ages of 18 and 24, and every four to five years thereafter. However, if you have any of the risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, then you may need to get tested more often.
Conclusion
Understanding your HDL cholesterol level and the normal range for it are key components in maintaining a healthy heart. If your level isn’t where it should be, there are a number of steps you can take to get it to an optimal level. It is important to get tested regularly so that you can adjust any lifestyle or dietary modifications that are needed to keep your heart healthy.
Keywords:
HDL cholesterol, High-density lipoprotein, healthy heart, heart disease, mg/dL, risk factors
