A person with high HDL levels has what relationship to cardiovascular risk?

• A. Increases risk
• B. Decreases risk
• C. No relation
• D. Only affects stroke risk

Answer: (C)

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is protective because it participates in reverse cholesterol transport—pulling cholesterol away from arterial plaques and delivering it to the liver for excretion. This reduces the buildup of atherosclerotic plaque and lowers inflammation and oxidative stress in the vessels. Therefore, higher HDL levels are associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular events, not no relation. It’s not correct to say it only affects stroke or to say it increases risk; the overall cardiovascular risk tends to decrease as HDL rises.