Can your hdl cholesterol be too high

These are blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to the rest of your body. A buildup of cholesterol in your arteries is known as plaque. Over time, plaque can become hard and make your arteries narrow. Large deposits of plaque can completely block an artery.

Cholesterol plaques can also break apart, leading to formation of a blood clot that blocks the flow of blood. A blocked artery to the heart can cause a heart attack. A blocked artery to your brain can cause a stroke. Some people find out through routine check-ups that include blood tests.

Your liver produces cholesterol, but you also get cholesterol from food. Eating too many foods that are high in fat can increase your cholesterol level. Being overweight and inactive also causes high cholesterol.

If you are overweight, you most likely have a higher level of triglycerides. You family history also affects your cholesterol level. Research has shown that high cholesterol tends to run in families. If you have an immediate family member who has it, you could have it, too. A simple blood test will reveal your cholesterol level. Men 35 years of age and older and women 45 years of age and older should have their cholesterol checked.

Men and women 20 years of age and older who have risk factors for heart disease should have their cholesterol checked. Teens may need to be checked if they are taking certain medicines or have a strong family history of high cholesterol. Ask your doctor how often you should have your cholesterol checked. Making healthy food choices and exercising are two ways to reduce your risk of developing high cholesterol.

Eat fewer foods with saturated fats such as red meat and most dairy products. Choose healthier fats. This includes lean meats, avocados, nuts, and low-fat dairy items. Avoid foods that contain trans fat such as fried and packaged foods. Look for foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

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Medically reviewed by Graham Rogers, M. Recommended HDL range. High HDL cholesterol issues. Testing HDL levels. How to decrease your cholesterol levels. Read this next. The Recommended Cholesterol Levels by Age. Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M.

Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph. The Effects of Diabetes on Your Body. After all, high cholesterol is a well-documented risk factor for heart disease. However, cholesterol levels are more complicated than that, as different types have different impacts.

For this reason, doctors consider it beneficial. However, there is still more to discover, and researchers are still learning how HDL and other types of cholesterol work. In this article, we look at whether or not HDL cholesterol can be too high. We also look at what healthy levels are, and what can happen to people if HDL falls out of this range. There are two main types of cholesterol in the body, and only one is usually considered a risk to heart health. When this buildup clogs or narrows the arteries, a heart attack or stroke is more likely to occur.

With LDL cholesterol, lower is better. HDL cholesterol helps remove LDL cholesterol from the blood and transports it to the liver for processing and elimination. A higher HDL number is desirable because it usually signals a lower risk of heart disease.

Some experts also believe HDL may have anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, antioxidant, and other properties that may offer additional protection from cardiovascular disease. Lifestyle recommendations for managing cholesterol focus on balancing the types of cholesterol by increasing HDL levels and lowering LDL. It is the only measure in the cholesterol test that has a lower rather than an upper limit.

Previous research suggests the higher the HDL levels, the more protection a person has from heart disease. However, new evidence is appearing that may challenge this. Some experts are now talking about a U-shaped relationship, in which both very low and very high HDL levels may be harmful. Some scientists now believe that genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors may affect the way HDL accumulates in the body and how it behaves, and that some of these effects could be harmful to some people.