Normal Values:

In general, your risk for heart disease, including a heart attack, increases if your HDL cholesterol level is less than 40 mg/dL.

Men are at particular risk if their HDL is below 37 mg/dL.

Women are at particular risk if their HDL if their HDL is below 47 mg/dL.

An HDL 60 mg/dL or above helps protect against heart disease.

Women tend to have higher HDL cholesterol than men.

Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

What abnormal results mean:

Low HDL levels may indicate an increased risk of atherosclerotic heart disease.

They also may be associated with:

• Familial combined hyperlipidemia
• Noninsulin-dependent diabetes (NIDD)