What HDL cholesterol level is considered low?

A low level of HDL cholesterol, often referred to as 'good' cholesterol, is significant because HDL helps remove other forms of cholesterol from the bloodstream. Having a low HDL level is recognized as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Typically, an HDL cholesterol level of less than 40 mg/dL in men and less than 50 mg/dL in women indicates an increased risk for heart disease. Therefore, the threshold for what is considered low HDL for the general population aligns with the standard medical consensus that values below 40 mg/dL are indeed concerning.

This standard helps healthcare providers identify individuals who may benefit from lifestyle modifications, pharmacotherapy, or further cardiovascular risk assessment. High levels of HDL (60 mg/dL or greater) are generally associated with lower risk of heart disease, making the understanding of low HDL levels particularly important in preventive healthcare.