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The Importance of Cholesterol Ratio

Although health professionals agree that cholesterol ratio offers information regarding risk of heart disease, analysis of additional data is recommended.

  1. Significance

    • Cholesterol ratio is derived by dividing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol into the total cholesterol reading. HDL takes cholesterol from the blood, branding it "good" cholesterol. Depending on the source, a healthy ratio ranges from 4-to-1 to 5-to-1. Consulting your physician will clarify the ratio that is best for you.

    Considerations

    • Cholesterol ratio has its limitations. It does not take into consideration low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which brings cholesterol to the body. If LDL, considered "bad" cholesterol, builds up in arteries, it can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

    Solution

    • It is ideal to test HDL, LDL and total cholesterol for a complete analysis. Your LDL cholesterol should be below 70 if you are at especially high risk for related health problems, below 100 if you are at high risk and below 130 if you are not at high risk. Your HDL should be greater than 45. Your total cholesterol should be below 200 if you are more than 21 years old, and it should be below 170 if you are 20 years old or younger.

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