How can I increase my HDL?

datasam,

Thanks for your question.  I have to correct your information.  You do have a major risk for heart disease, and that is your prior history of bypass surgery.  If your cholesterol numbers were elevated before the medications, then this would also be a risk factor. 

The fact that you raised your HDL from 30 to 40 is a great, and probably resulted from the statin medications.  Your other numbers were very good, with a good ratio.  Some doctors rely on the ratio, while others rely on the HDL itself. 

Medication wise, there's little more to do.  You're already exercising and perhaps stepping that up a bit on a regular basis will have an effect on your HDL.  Certainly, continue to follow a low fat, low cholesterol diet.  Consuming 4 - 8 ounces of red wine has been shown to also raise the HDL a bit.  More than 8 ounces/day for a male has been shown to be detrimental to the liver and less benefit for the heart.

When the cholesterol and LDL are already low, there's less chance to move the HDL by a significant amount.

Keep up your good work.  Maybe push the exercise a bit, and be strict about your diet. 

Best wishes.

Martin Cane, M.D.

Hi there .

I helped my husband increase his HDL by giving him 40 % of uncooked food ( sprouts, salads - unseasoned and unsalted ) as a part of his daily diet along with normal low fat food. Along with the diet walking 6 km/ day helped. In 6 months his HDL increased from 35 to 53.