Editing High-density lipoprotein (section)

== Testing ==
Because of the high cost of directly measuring HDL particles, [[blood tests]] commonly measure a surrogate value, HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), i.e. the cholesterol associated with HDL particles. 
HDL-C is often contrasted with the amount of cholesterol estimated to be carried within [[Low-density lipoprotein|low-density lipoprotein particles]], known as LDL-C, with HDL-C being nicknamed "good cholesterol" and LDL-C "bad cholesterol". 

In healthy individuals, about 30% of blood cholesterol, along with other fats, is carried by HDL.<ref name="am180">{{cite web |url=https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/hdl-good-ldl-bad-cholesterol-and-triglycerides |title=HDL (Good), LDL (Bad) Cholesterol and Triglycerides |publisher=[[American Heart Association]] |date=2021 |access-date=31 May 2021 |archive-date=28 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728080038/http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Cholesterol/HDLLDLTriglycerides/HDL-Good-LDL-Bad-Cholesterol-and-Triglycerides_UCM_305561_Article.jsp |url-status=live }}</ref> This is often contrasted with the amount of cholesterol estimated to be carried within low-density lipoprotein particles, [[Low-density lipoprotein|LDL]], and called LDL-C. HDL particles remove fats and cholesterol from cells, including within [[artery]] wall [[atheroma]], and transport it back to the liver for excretion or re-utilization; thus the cholesterol carried within HDL particles (HDL-C) is sometimes called "good cholesterol". Those with higher levels of HDL-C tend to have fewer problems with [[cardiovascular diseases]], while those with low HDL-C cholesterol levels (especially less than 40&nbsp;mg/dL or about 1&nbsp;mmol/L) have increased rates for heart disease.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Toth PP | title = Cardiology patient page. The "good cholesterol": high-density lipoprotein | journal = Circulation | volume = 111 | issue = 5 | pages = e89–e91 | date = Feb 2005 | pmid = 15699268 | doi = 10.1161/01.CIR.0000154555.07002.CA | doi-access = free }}</ref>{{update inline
|date=July 2022}} Higher native HDL levels are correlated with lowered risk of cardiovascular disease in healthy people.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://eurheartjsupp.oxfordjournals.org/content/8/suppl_F/F4.full | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150201022804/http://eurheartjsupp.oxfordjournals.org/content/8/suppl_F/F4.full | url-status= dead | archive-date= 2015-02-01 | last=Sirtori | first=Cesare R. | title=HDL and the progression of atherosclerosis: new insights | date=October 2006 | work=European Heart Journal Supplements}}</ref>{{update inline|date=July 2022}}

The remainder of the serum cholesterol after subtracting the HDL is the '''non-HDL cholesterol'''. The concentration of these other components, which may cause [[atheroma]], is known as the '''non-HDL-C'''. This is now preferred to LDL-C as a secondary marker as it has been shown to be a better predictor and it is more easily calculated.<ref>{{citation |author=M.J. Sorrentino |pages=86–87 |title=Hyperlipidemia in Primary Care |chapter=Non-HDL-Cholesterol |year=2011 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-1-60327-502-6}}</ref>