Definitions for "HDL cholesterol"
Commonly referred to as the "good" cholesterol as it reduces fatty deposits (atheroma) in arteries.
HDL is one of the classes of lipoproteins that carry cholesterol in the blood. HDL is considered to be beneficial because it removes excess cholesterol and disposes of it. Hence HDL cholesterol is often termed "good" cholesterol. The test for HDL measures the amount of HDL-cholesterol in blood.
high density lipoprotein cholesterol; a beneficial cholesterol composed of a high proportion of protein (with little triglyceride and cholesterol) and that is associated with decreased probability of developing atherosclerosis