HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is considered "good" cholesterol because it helps remove excess cholesterol from your body, reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
The Role of HDL Cholesterol
HDL functions like a cleanup crew in your bloodstream. It performs the following key tasks:
- Cholesterol Removal: HDL picks up cholesterol from the bloodstream and transports it to the liver.
- Liver Processing: The liver processes this cholesterol and removes it from the body, often through bile.
- Artery Protection: By removing cholesterol, HDL helps prevent plaque buildup in the arteries, a process known as atherosclerosis. This reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke.
How HDL Protects Your Heart
The process of plaque buildup in arteries is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease. Here's how HDL's role helps:
- Reduces Plaque Formation: By transporting cholesterol away from the artery walls, HDL slows down and even reverses plaque formation.
- Improves Blood Flow: Less plaque means wider arteries and better blood flow to the heart and other organs.
- Lowers Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke: By reducing plaque and improving blood flow, HDL significantly lowers the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Summary
In essence, HDL is good because it actively works to remove cholesterol from your bloodstream, transporting it to the liver for disposal. This process helps prevent plaque buildup in arteries, reducing your risk of developing heart disease and stroke. A higher HDL level is generally associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular events.
