High density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is cholesterol that is contained in HDL particles; it is involved in reverse cholesterol transport and is protective against coronary artery disease.
References
Linsel-Nitschke P, Tall AR. HDL as a target in the treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2005 Mar;4(3):193-205. PMID: 15738977