Season 1 Episode 6: High Density Lipoprotein

For decades, HDL — the so-called “good cholesterol” — has been celebrated as the body’s knight in shining armor. Patients brag about their high HDL levels like it’s a shield against heart disease. But is HDL truly the hero we once thought?

In this episode of LipidCurious, we’ll separate myth from science and uncover the real story of HDL:

1. Why is HDL called the “good cholesterol” — and is that nickname really fair?
2. What exactly is reverse cholesterol transport, and why does it matter?
3. Why did drugs that raise HDL fail to improve cardiovascular outcomes?

We’ll also explore clinical twists: how HDL can become dysfunctional in high-triglyceride states, and why extremely high HDL might not always be protective.

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Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes for clinicians and healthcare professionals. It does not provide medical advice, establish a physician–patient relationship, or replace individualized clinical judgment. The opinions expressed are those of the creator and do not represent the views of any affiliated institutions or organizations.