HDL Cholesterol level under 40 mg/dl means that you are at risk of developing atherosclerotic disease not only in vessels that supply the heart with the blood but in every single vessel in the body.
This can lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, and brain, and other organ issues.
The causes of low HDL cholesterol levels are genetics, sedentary life, poor diet, diabetes, smoking, overweight, and stress.
Find out the detailed information about cardiovascular risk, other health issues of having low HDL cholesterol, and what are the causes of this condition.
What does having HDL cholesterol levels under 40 mg/dl mean?
HDL cholesterol is else called good cholesterol. It travels within the bloodstream, and as it does so, it recycles, reuses, and reduces LDL cholesterol levels or else called “bad” cholesterol by transporting it back to the liver where it is processed.
In other terms, it serves as a maintenance crew for the inner walls of blood vessels. Having HDL cholesterol levels under 40 mg/dl is not good.
This means that you have an increased risk for atherosclerotic disease development. If the buildup of atherosclerotic plaques takes place in heart vessels, it causes heart problems that can even lead to death.
If the buildup of plaques takes place in other vessels, the health problems it causes depend on the place the atherosclerotic process takes place.
What are the levels of risk for cardiovascular disease?
Having HDL cholesterol levels under 40 mg/dl is an independent risk for cardiovascular disease.
There have been many studies on the matter, and all have concluded that high levels of HDL cholesterol are associated with longevity and are protective against the development of atherosclerotic disease, and vice versa: levels of HLD cholesterol under 40 mg/dl are associated with increased risk of developing atherosclerotic disease.
Many clinicians believe that HDL cholesterol level under 40 mg/dl is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease because it is a marker for hypertriglyceridemia and elevated remnant particle concentration.
Other clinicians and studies, on the other hand, demonstrate that the increase associated with HLD levels under 40 mg/dl is independent of serum triglyceride levels.
Bottom line, levels of “good cholesterol” HLD under 40 mg/dl are associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Immediate measures are to be taken, in order to avoid this complication.
Lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet without trans fats and processed food, daily exercising, and quitting smoking are some of the most effective ways of increasing HDL levels.
The risk for any other health problems?
Having HDL cholesterol level under 40 gm/dl is associated with the increased risk of developing atherosclerotic disease not only in heart vessels but in every blood vessel in the body. This is due to the HDL cholesterol effects described above.
Every major blood vessel can be affected by the atherosclerotic process. The symptoms depend on the region in which the atherosclerotic process takes place. If are affected the vessels that supply the brain with blood, the symptoms vary from loss of consciencesness to death.
If are affected the vessels that supply extremities or organs with blood, there is a wide range of symptoms happening, starting from pain to infarct of the region supplied with blood by the occluded vessel.
What are the causes of HLD cholesterol levels under 40 mg/dl?
The causes of HDL cholesterol levels under 40 mg/dl are as follows:
1. Genetics -The genetic control of HDL levels is complex, but it does exist. A genetic predisposition of low HLD is a risk for cardiovascular disease that cannot be controlled.
2. Uncontrolled diabetes-High glucose levels may contribute to lowering HDL levels as well as increasing LDL and triglyceride levels.
3. Smoking-Chemicals found in cigarettes are discovered to have HDL lowering abilities.
4. Sedentary life-Sedentary life lowers HDL levels. Exercise at least 30 minutes 5 times a week.
5. Being overweight- Being overweight can cause a lot of health issues- including lowering your HDL cholesterol level.
6. Living a stressful life- Long-term stress can lower your HDL cholesterol levels.
7. A poor diet- What you eat influences your HDL levels. Trans fats, refined sugar, and processed food can lower your HDL level.
