What is a normal range for your HDL cholesterol level?

High density lipoprotein cholesterol levels should be above 60 milligrams per deciliters of blood, according to Mayo Clinic. However, for men, any level above 40 milligrams per deciliter of blood is considered to be healthy, and for women, any level above 50 milligrams per deciliter of blood is healthy.

HDL cholesterol is considered to be good cholesterol because it has the ability to remove bad cholesterol, or LDL cholesterol, from a patient's bloodstream, according to WebMD. HDL cholesterol reduces the amount of LDL cholesterol in the blood by transporting it to the patient's liver instead of his arteries and veins. High levels of HDL cholesterol can help prevent heart disease and strokes.