HDL cholesterol is considered protective when the level is at least:

HDL cholesterol is considered protective when the level is at least:

• A. ≥0.8 mmol/L
• B. ≥1.0 mmol/L
• C. ≥0.9 mmol/L
• D. ≥1.2 mmol/L

Answer: (B)

HDL cholesterol protects arteries by promoting reverse cholesterol transport, pulling cholesterol away from vessel walls. The level at which this protective effect is considered present is about 1.0 mmol/L or higher. So the smallest value that still confers protection is 1.0 mmol/L; values at or above this reduce cardiovascular risk, and higher levels such as 1.2 mmol/L are also protective but represent a higher-than-necessary threshold. In mg/dL, 1.0 mmol/L is roughly 40 mg/dL. Values below 1.0 mmol/L don’t reach the protective threshold.

HDL cholesterol protects arteries by promoting reverse cholesterol transport, pulling cholesterol away from vessel walls. The level at which this protective effect is considered present is about 1.0 mmol/L or higher. So the smallest value that still confers protection is 1.0 mmol/L; values at or above this reduce cardiovascular risk, and higher levels such as 1.2 mmol/L are also protective but represent a higher-than-necessary threshold. In mg/dL, 1.0 mmol/L is roughly 40 mg/dL. Values below 1.0 mmol/L don’t reach the protective threshold.