High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol , often referred to as the "good" cholesterol, plays a crucial role in maintaining cardiovascular well-being. Understanding what constitutes normal HDL cholesterol levels and how they impact your health is vital. HDL, or high-density lipoprotein, is the " good" cholesterol . It helps to remove bad cholesterol from your arteries, so a higher HDL level is better. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is known as the "good" cholesterol because it helps remove other forms of cholesterol from the bloodstream. A higher level of HDL cholesterol is linked to a lower risk of heart disease.