Elevated HDL Cholesterol

ByMichael H. Davidson, MD, FACC, FNLA, University of Chicago Medicine, Pritzker School of Medicine;
Marie Altenburg, MD, The University of Chicago
Reviewed/Revised May 2025
VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION

Elevated high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level is abnormally high levels of HDL cholesterol in the blood.

(See also Overview of Cholesterol and Lipid Disorders.)

A high level of HDL cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol) may decrease the risk of heart attacks and strokes. However, HDL cholesterol levels may be increased in some genetic disorders. In these disorders, the high HDL level may not protect against heart attacks or strokes, probably because the disease also causes other changes in lipid levels and other abnormalities in the way the body breaks down food.

Elevated HDL levels may be

  • Primary: Caused by a genetic mutation

  • Secondary: Caused by another disorder

Primary causes of elevated HDL levels are

  • Genetic mutations that result in overproduction or decreased removal of HDL

Secondary causes of high HDL cholesterol include all of the following:

A disorder that is causing very high HDL levels is treated.

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) deficiency

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by a mutation of the CETP gene. Because CETP helps in the transfer of cholesterol from HDL to other lipoproteins, CETP deficiency affects low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and slows removal of HDL cholesterol from the blood. Affected people have no symptoms but have high HDL cholesterol in their blood. No treatment is necessary.

Familial hyperalphalipoproteinemia

Familial hyperalphalipoproteinemia is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by various genetic mutations. The disorder is usually diagnosed when elevated HDL cholesterol levels are found during a routine blood test. Affected people have no symptoms. No treatment is necessary.

Drugs Mentioned In This Article

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