The main function of HDL-C (the “good” cholesterol) is to transport the atherosclerosis-causing “bad” cholesterol (LDL) from the blood vessels to the liver for degradation, thus preventing the deposition of the “bad” cholesterol (LDL) in the walls of the arteries and thus preventing the atherosclerosis process. “The main function of HDL-C is to transport the atherosclerosis-causing “bad” cholesterol (LDL) from the blood vessels to the liver for degradation, thus preventing the deposition of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) in the arterial blood vessel walls and preventing the atherosclerosis process. Therefore, HDL-C is called “good cholesterol”, or “vascular scavenger”, or “anti-atherosclerotic cholesterol”, or “anti-coronary cholesterol”. 1.Do I need to worry about elevated LDL cholesterol if my HDL cholesterol (good) value is high? The results of population studies show that high HDL cholesterol levels can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, there are many factors that can increase HDL cholesterol levels, and in some cases, higher HDL cholesterol levels are not always protective. Therefore, even if HDL cholesterol levels are high, LDL cholesterol and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease need to be evaluated. Many lipid-modifying drugs have the ability to lower the “bad” cholesterol LCL-C while simultaneously increasing the “good” HDL-C levels. Statins are primarily known to lower LCL-C levels and have a weak effect on raising HDL-C levels, but statins are the only drugs that alone can significantly reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events and mortality. Other lipid-modifying drugs, such as niacin, have a stronger effect on raising HDL-C levels, but alone they do not reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events and mortality. Exercise can elevate HDL-C, and for most diseases, moderate exercise is also one of the most important ways to improve quality of life and extend life expectancy. 2. Low HDL cholesterol (good) levels, does this mean there is a problem? Generally, most experts believe that HDL cholesterol has a protective effect. Therefore, if you have a low HDL cholesterol level, your doctor will discuss this with you as a health issue, but as noted in the question above, a high HDL cholesterol level does not always mean a protective effect. Likewise, a lower HDL cholesterol level does not always mean that there is a problem. HDL cholesterol levels decrease as total cholesterol levels decrease due to insufficient production, decreased absorption, and excessive removal from the body. In addition, other causes, such as certain diseases or the application of anabolic hormones, can lower HDL cholesterol levels. Low HDL cholesterol levels are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, but this is not always the case. Knowing the cause of low HDL cholesterol levels is important to help patients and physicians understand the importance of such low HDL cholesterol levels and decide whether treatment is needed, including simple steps such as quitting smoking or stopping anabolic hormones, or by evaluating the disease that reveals the need for treatment.