HDL cholesterol

Assessing the level of HDL cholesterol in the blood

HDL cholesterol (high-density lipoproteins) is referred to as “good” cholesterol.

The test is used for assessing the risk of coronary heart disease (high HDL levels – lower risk of cardiac diseases, low HDL levels – higher risk).

The level of HDL cholesterol concentration is observed to increase in patients with high and regular physical activity, as well as after taking certain medicines regulating lipid metabolism. The concentration level is observed to decrease in patients with nephrotic syndrome and hypertriglyceridemia, as well as in smokers.

Maintaining proper concentration levels of this cholesterol fraction has a positive effect on the health of the circulatory system, reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction (MI). It is recommended to have the HDL level assessed both for verification purposes, e.g. in the context of measuring the effects of ongoing treatment, and as a prevention in healthy individuals.

What is HDL cholesterol?

HDL cholesterol is referred to as “good” cholesterol, as it performs essential functions in the body – it is responsible for transporting cholesterol particles from different body tissues to the liver, where they are metabolised and used up for the formation of bile acids. It is one of the fractions of total cholesterol. Proper concentration levels of HDL cholesterol prevent the build-up of fats on the arterial walls which contributes to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.

The concentration of blood HDL cholesterol alone is of little diagnostic significance. It is essential to maintain a high level of HDL cholesterol while keeping its “bad” counterpart (the LDL fraction) low.

Why and how often should HDL cholesterol be tested?

The frequency of the tests is each time determined by the attending physician of a given patient. As prevention, healthy individuals are recommended to have this test performed at least once in 5 years (in individuals over 50 years of age, every 2 years). In the case of chronically treated subjects, the physician usually decides that it is necessary to check their cholesterol levels more often.

Testing the levels of HDL cholesterol plays an important role in prevention of cardiac diseases and cardiovascular conditions, as well as in the reduction of the overall lipid levels in patients’ blood. Based on the test results, a physician may decide to initiate pharmacological treatment, modify the doses of medications, or maintain the treatment with diet and healthy lifestyle alone.

When should the HDL concentration be tested?

The test is done on a preventive basis in healthy individuals (once every 3–5 years in individuals aged 25 years and more, and every 2 years in those aged 50 years and more), as well as in patients at risk of developing circulatory diseases. Diagnosed or suspected diabetes, hyper- or hypothyroidism, and the ischaemic heart disease are also indications for testing the level of HDL concentration. The parameter may be monitored more frequently and at regular time intervals as part of the lipid profile, when there are risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. It is the physician that determines the frequency of the tests.

The product may be used within three (3) months from the date indicated in the order confirmation. The level of HDL cholesterol is tested in such cities as Warsaw, Poznań, Katowice, Kraków, Łódź, Lublin, and Wrocław.

HDL cholesterol – preparation for the test

The level of HDL cholesterol concentration is determined from a blood sample. It takes from several to a few dozen seconds to collect a blood sample. If the test is performed as part of a complete lipid profile (a lipidogram), it usually requires adequate preparation.

Before such procedure, it is necessary to refrain from consuming any means and drinking beverages other than water for about 10–12 hours. Immediately before your blood is collected, you may drink a little bit of water. It is not advised to consume fat and large meals on the day preceding the test. No alcohol should be consumed either.

In certain cases, it is not necessary to be on an empty stomach for the test. However, it is the physician who decides how you should prepare for the test, so it is necessary to follow his/her instructions.

The decision about whether the patient should take his/her regular medications before blood collection is made by the attending physician.

High level of HDL cholesterol – where does it come from?

The level of HDL cholesterol is affected by a series of factors, with one of them being the genetic factors. Individuals with hereditary low concentration levels of HDL cholesterol are statistically more common to experience episodes of heart diseases. Similarly, families that usually manifest high levels of this cholesterol fraction rarely develop atherosclerosis or cardio-embolic disease.

Environmental factors are not without significance either. The level of HDL is adversely influenced by such factors as a poorly-balanced diet, smoking cigarettes, arterial hypertension, low physical activity and obesity.

Women are more likely than men to have higher HDL levels, which is due to the beneficial effects of oestrogens (female sex hormone) on the level of HDL cholesterol.

• Test results are available within 3 working days.
• It is possible to collect them at the reception desk of a selected centre.
• The results can be accessed online. For this to be possible, it is necessary to collect a password at the reception desk of a selected centre.