Elevated HDL concentrations are associated with a low risk of heart disease because they:

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Elevated HDL concentrations are associated with a low risk of heart disease because HDL takes excess cholesterol and phospholipids from the tissues and returns them to the liver. This process, known as reverse cholesterol transport, helps to remove excess cholesterol from the body and can reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and heart disease. HDL does not transport newly absorbed lipids (A) or carry cholesterol and triglycerides from the liver (B); those roles are performed by chylomicrons, VLDL, and LDL. While HDL does carry lipids around in the blood (C), that is not the primary mechanism by which it reduces the risk of heart disease.

Elevated HDL Concentrations Are Associated with a Low Risk of Heart