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.

Bonus: The Visual Guide for this episode is waiting for you — click here. For the full collection of visuals across episodes, visit the Podcast page.

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is NOT medical advice.