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Non-HDL Cholesterol
Written by Forth
July 25, 2025
What is Non-HDL Cholesterol?
Non-HDL cholesterol is a measure of all the “bad” types of cholesterol in your blood, essentially everything that isn’t high-density lipoprotein (HDL). It includes remnant cholesterol, which is the cholesterol carried by triglyceride-rich lipoproteins like chylomicron remnants, intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL), and VLDL.
It’s calculated by subtracting your HDL cholesterol from your total cholesterol.
Why is Non-HDL Cholesterol Important for Health?
Non-HDL cholesterol is considered a strong predictor of heart disease risk, possibly even more reliable than LDL cholesterol alone. That’s because it captures all potentially harmful cholesterol particles that can contribute to the build-up of plaque in the arteries (atherosclerosis).
Health professionals increasingly use non-HDL as a key metric in assessing cardiovascular risk, especially in people with high triglycerides or metabolic conditions.
What Are Optimal Levels for Non-HDL?
Non-HDL cholesterol includes all the potentially harmful types of cholesterol, so keeping it within a healthy range is key to lowering your risk of heart disease.
According to clinical guidelines:
- < 4.0 mmol/L as a general healthy target: According to NHS guidance, a non‑HDL level below 4.0 mmol/L is considered healthy in adults without other cardiovascular risk factors[1]
- < 3.37 mmol/L (< 130 mg/dL) as optimal range: Some sources note that non‑HDL should ideally be under 130 mg/dL (3.37 mmol/L) for adults[2]
- < 2.6 mmol/L for higher-risk individuals: Heart UK and NHS Heart Matters indicate that for people at higher cardiovascular risk (e.g. with diabetes or heart disease), a lower non‑HDL target of ≤ 2.6 mmol/L is often recommended[3]
"Non-HDL cholesterol is closely linked to triglyceride levels, too. If your triglycerides are elevated, a more stringent target may be more appropriate."
How to Check Your Non-HDL Cholesterol
Non-HDL cholesterol is calculated by subtracting your HDL cholesterol level from your total cholesterol level. The result reflects all the cholesterol in your blood that may contribute to plaque build-up in the arteries, including LDL, VLDL, IDL, and Lp(a).
Our Advanced Cholesterol Blood Test includes all the biomarkers needed to assess your non-HDL cholesterol, while also giving you a deeper understanding of your heart and metabolic health.
This test measures:
- Total Cholesterol – the sum of all cholesterol in your blood
- HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) – the “good” cholesterol that helps clear excess cholesterol
- LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) – a major contributor to plaque build-up in the arteries
- Triglycerides – a type of blood fat that can raise cardiovascular risk when elevated
- HDL Ratio (Total:HDL) – another key indicator of cholesterol balance
- Apolipoprotein A (ApoA) – a key structural component of HDL
- Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) – found in all atherogenic particles, offering a direct measure of cardiovascular risk
- Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] – a genetic risk factor for heart disease
Once you receive your results, you can calculate your non-HDL cholesterol by subtracting your HDL level (mmol/L) from your total cholesterol (mmol/L). This simple calculation can reveal hidden risk not always visible through LDL alone.
How Can I Improve My Non-HDL Cholesterol?
Lowering non-HDL cholesterol is one of the most effective ways to reduce your risk of heart disease. You can help bring your levels down by:
- Following a heart-healthy diet – rich in fibre, wholegrains, fruit and vegetables
- Reducing saturated fat and eliminating trans fats
- Increasing physical activity and aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week
- Managing weight and supporting healthy blood sugar levels
- Considering medication if lifestyle changes aren’t enough, there are lots of options, it’s not just statins!
Tracking non-HDL cholesterol over time can help you take meaningful steps to protect your long-term heart health.