I had a blood test and my HDL ,good cholesterol, is low. How can I increase it?
Thank you Mazen for your question!
HDL helps transport cholesterol away from the arteries, but rather than focusing only on raising the HDL number, it’s more important to improve your overall cardiovascular health.
Regular physical activity, especially aerobic exercise combined with strength training, can help improve your cholesterol profile. Try to exercise at least 3 times a week, such as brisk walking, cycling, swimming, or other activities you enjoy.
Try Choose healthy unsaturated fats such as olive oil, nuts, seeds, avocado, and oily fish, while limiting saturated and trans fats found in foods such as processed meats, fried foods, and some baked products.
Maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking, getting enough sleep, and managing blood sugar can also support a healthier cholesterol profile. Importantly, medications are generally prescribed to lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and overall cardiovascular risk rather than simply to raise HDL.
If your HDL is low, your healthcare professional can look at your LDL, triglycerides, blood pressure, blood sugar, and other risk factors to determine the best approach for you.
This is general guidance, not a diagnosis or a review of your medical records. If you'd like advice for your own situation, including your medications and history, you can ask one of our doctors about your specific case.
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