With all the talk about combating bad cholesterol and lowering its levels, the importance of good cholesterol often gets ignored. Estrogen, exercise and red wine increase HDL cholesterol levels, Baybutt said.
Women have higher estrogen levels compared to men, helping lower their risk of heart attacks.
After menopause, the levels of estrogen decrease and the risk of heart attack increases. Estrogen replacement raises HDL levels and decreases heart attack risk, Baybutt said. Baybutt said that women don't need to be too concerned with raising HDL levels until after menopause, but that they should develop a healthy lifestyle to lower the risk of heart disease and heart attack. However, men naturally have lower HDL levels and an increased risk for heart attack, he said. Baybutt recommends at least 30 minutes of exercise, three times per week to keep physically fit, which may decrease LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol.