Check Your HDL Levels Now: Low HDL Signals Vessel Damage—Here's How to Improve

On May 23, 2569, Dr. Jetsada Bunyavongvirojn, Deputy Director of Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Hospital in Nakhon Ratchasima, posted on his 'Dr. Jed' Facebook page explaining that during health checkups, most people focus on whether their LDL, blood sugar, or triglycerides are high, but many overlook another important value: HDL, or 'good cholesterol.' Some people consistently have low HDL, while others try hard to raise it as much as possible, thinking higher is always better. Let's get to know this value properly. I'll explain it simply and show you how to increase your good cholesterol.

1. HDL is the 'garbage truck' of your blood vessels HDL's job is to transport excess fat and some fatty deposits back to the liver, reducing buildup in your blood vessels. So if HDL is low, it's like your vessel's garbage collection system isn't working well. Fat is more likely to accumulate and stick to vessel walls, causing inflammation, stiffening, and increasing the risk of narrowing in the future.

2. Low HDL doesn't just mean 'you have little good cholesterol' Actually, low HDL often signals that 'your metabolism is having problems.' People with consistently low HDL usually also have a belly, high triglycerides, insulin resistance, blood sugar fluctuations, or fatty liver, because the body is inflamed and managing fat poorly. Many don't realize it because other blood values might not be obviously elevated yet.

3. What HDL level should concern you? Generally, HDL below 40 mg/dL in men and below 50 mg/dL in women is considered risky, as it's associated with increased heart and vessel disease risk—especially if combined with high triglycerides, a large belly, or high LDL. When low HDL comes with excess belly fat, insulin resistance risk rises even more.

4. Low HDL means your vessels may be silently deteriorating Many people don't have particularly high LDL but have very low HDL, which is still risky because it reflects that vessels may be inflaming and the body isn't handling fat well. Some people have had low HDL for years despite being relatively young, and when left unchecked, fatty deposits accumulate in vessels more rapidly.

5. Is higher HDL always better? This is a common misconception. Abnormally high HDL doesn't necessarily mean increased heart disease protection. What truly matters is 'whether HDL is functioning well' and how little inflammation your body has overall, rather than just the number alone.

6. Exercise genuinely helps HDL Consistent movement—brisk walking, weight training, or cardio—improves HDL levels. When muscles work, the body handles fat better. Some people see HDL improvement within just a few months of consistent exercise. The more muscle mass you have, the better your metabolism and fat response become.

7. Smokers, night owls, and sugar lovers typically have low HDL These habits cause chronic inflammation, making HDL function poorly. Many people take cholesterol medication but if they still smoke, sleep at 2 AM, and drink sweet tea daily, their HDL won't rise easily because the root causes aren't addressed. The longer you wait, the faster your vessels deteriorate.

So what should you do if your HDL is too low?

- Exercise regularly, especially weight training and cardio - Reduce sugary drinks, fried foods, and processed foods - Increase good fats like fish and omega-3s

The United States has mandated that the Democratic Republic of Congo's national football team undergo a strict 21-day quarantine, or face potential denial of entry to compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following an Ebola outbreak in the country. Andrew Giuliani, director of the White House's task force for the World Cup, confirmed that the DR Congo team must isolate for 21 days or risk being barred from traveling to the United States for the tournament. The DR Congo is one of several countries currently battling the Bundibugyo ebolavirus strain. Before the World Cup begins, the DR Congo team is scheduled to train and play two friendlies in Belgium, with the U.S. requiring the quarantine to take place there. Giuliani stated, "We have informed DR Congo that they should implement strict 21-day quarantine measures before traveling to the United States on June 11, otherwise they risk not being permitted entry into our country." All of the DR Congo team's players and coaches reside outside the country, with most players based in France, though some team staff members who live domestically have already left the country.

The Meteorological Department forecasts continued heavy rain in scattered areas across the North, Upper Northeast, East, and South regions over the next 24 hours due to the moderate southwest monsoon system covering the upper Andaman Sea and Thailand, combined with southerly and southeast winds bringing moisture from the South China Sea to northern Thailand, alongside a low-pressure zone over northern Vietnam.

The public is urged to exercise caution against dangers from heavy and accumulated rainfall, which may cause flash floods and flash flooding, particularly in areas with steep slopes near waterways and low-lying areas. Residents should also monitor their health during this period of changing weather conditions.

Sea conditions in the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand are moderately rough. The upper Andaman Sea and upper Gulf of Thailand have waves approximately 2 meters high, while the lower Andaman Sea and lower Gulf of Thailand have waves of 1-2 meters. Areas with thunderstorms may experience waves exceeding 2 meters. Fishermen in these areas are advised to navigate cautiously and avoid areas with thunderstorms.

Regional forecasts from 6 AM today to 6 AM tomorrow:

North: Thunderstorms in 60 percent of the area with heavy rain in some areas, particularly in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Lampoon, Tak, Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit, Phitsanulok, and Phetchabun provinces. Low 23-25°C, High 33-36°C. Southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

Upper Northeast: Thunderstorms in 40 percent of the area with heavy rain in some areas, particularly in Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Udon Thani, and Sakon Nakhon provinces. Low 24-25°C, High 34-36°C. Southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

Central: Thunderstorms in 60 percent of the area, mainly in Nakhon Sawan, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon, and Ayutthaya provinces. Low 24-26°C, High 34-36°C. Southwest winds 10-20 km/h.

East: Thunderstorms in 60 percent of the area with heavy rain in some areas, particularly in Nakhon Nayok, Prachinburi, Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat provinces. Low 25-27°C, High 30-35°C. Southwest winds 20-35 km/h. Sea waves approximately 2 meters, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas.

South (East Coast): Thunderstorms in 60 percent of the area with heavy rain in some areas, particularly in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, and Surat Thani provinces. Low 24-26°C, High 34-36°C. Southwest winds 15-35 km/h. Waves 1-2 meters nearshore, approximately 2 meters offshore, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas.

South (West Coast): Thunderstorms in 70 percent of the area with heavy rain in some areas, particularly in Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, and Krabi provinces. Low 23-26°C, High 32-35°C. From Phuket northward: Southwest winds 20-35 km/h with waves approximately 2 meters, exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas. From Krabi southward: Southwest winds 15-35 km/h with waves 1-2 meters.

Lens concluded the 2025-26 season on a high note, decisively defeating Nice to secure the French Cup title for the first time in club history and capturing their first major trophy in 27 years.

The 2025-26 French Cup final took place on May 22 between Ligue 1 rivals Lens and Nice at the Stade de France. Lens proved the sharper side, scoring through Florian Thauvin in the 25th minute, Aurelien Tchouameni in the 42nd minute, and Abdullah Sima in the 78th minute. Nice's sole goal came from Khaled Goulibal in the 45+3rd minute, with Lens winning 3-1.

This French Cup triumph represents a watershed moment for Lens, marking their first-ever championship in this competition after previously managing only three runner-up finishes. The victory also marks the club's first major trophy in 27 years, dating back to their French League Cup triumph in 1998-99.

Meanwhile, since Lens had already secured a UEFA Champions League spot as Ligue 1 runners-up this season, the UEFA Europa League spot from this cup has transferred to sixth-placed Reims, while seventh-place finisher Monaco will compete in the UEFA Conference League.

On May 22, 2025, at Hua Hin Municipality Hall in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Deputy Mayor Atichard Chaisri presided over the opening of the second "Hua Hin Police United CPR Training - Police Help Save Lives" program. The event included Hua Hin Police Station Commander Kampanart Na Wichai, municipal administrators, members of Hua Hin Rotary Club, and 50 police officers who participated in the training.

Deputy Mayor Atichard Chaisri stated that Hua Hin Municipality, in collaboration with Hua Hin Rotary Club, Hua Hin Police Station, the Hua Hin/Cha-am Tourism Business Association, and partner organizations, organized this second basic life support training program to equip police officers with fundamental knowledge and skills in emergency patient care (Basic Life Support).

Since police officers frequently encounter emergency situations on roads and in public places, they play a critical role in providing proper assistance to the public before medical professionals arrive. The training combines theoretical instruction and practical exercises in proper CPR techniques for cardiac arrest patients, automated external defibrillator (AED) use, and choking assistance. Experts from Bangkok Hua Hin Hospital, Hua Hin Hospital, Phetchkasem Foundation Hua Hin, Nong Plab Subdistrict Administrative Organization, and Hua Hin Municipality served as instructors, with the goal that officers will be able to respond correctly and promptly in unexpected emergencies and share this knowledge with others.