Niacin has been found to raise good cholesterol up to 35%, making niacin the most effective drug available for raising “Good “cholesterol. Niacin also decreases your LDL and triglyceride levels. High levels of LDL and triglycerides are significant to your risk factors for heart disease.

Why HDL Levels Are So Important?

Good cholesterol known as HDL takes the extra bad cholesterol in your blood back to your liver. The liver then disposes of that bad cholesterol.
                                    
Cholesterol levels are vitally important and can be measured with a simple blood test.

When women have HDL, good cholesterol levels 50 or below; this could increase their risk of heart disease. A man’s HDL levels should never be below 40.
                                            
HDL levels above 60 for both men and women are considered ideal.

If your other risks are good but your cholesterol levels are low, you are still at risk for heart disease.