What type of cardiovascular disease risk increases with low levels of HDL?

Low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol are specifically associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis. HDL is often referred to as the "good" cholesterol because it helps transport cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it can be processed or eliminated. This process helps to clear cholesterol from the arterial walls, thereby preventing the buildup of plaque that can lead to atherosclerosis, which is a hardening and narrowing of the arteries due to plaque accumulation.

When HDL levels are low, the body's ability to remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream and prevent plaque buildup diminishes. This can expedite the progression of atherosclerosis, increasing the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke. Although other conditions, such as hypertension and myocardial infarction, may also be influenced by cholesterol levels and can have interconnections with HDL levels, the direct correlation between low HDL and the development of atherosclerosis is well-established in cardiovascular disease literature.