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What Is an Ideal Cholesterol Ratio?

With 17 percent of America affected by high cholesterol, it is important to understand what these numbers mean and how they affect you. Cholesterol ratio is important because a good ratio can help a high cholesterol number by using the positive effects of HDL against the negative affects of LDL.

  1. Total Cholesterol

    • The American Heart Association recommends total cholesterol to be less than 200 mg/dl. A measurement between 200-239 mg/dl is borderline high, and above 240 mg/dl is very high.

    LDL and HDL

    • LDL readings less then 100 mg/dl is optimal, 100-129 mg/dl is above normal, 130-159 mg/dl is borderline high, 160-189 mg/dl is borderline high and above 190 is high. HDL levels for women should be no less than 50 mg/dl, while men should have no less than 40 mg/dl.

    HDL to Total Cholesterol

    • There are three different ratios to observe when looking at cholesterol. One is total Cholesterol to HDL. The optimal ratio here is 3.5 to 1, with 5 to 1 being the highest the number should go.

    HDL to LDL

    • The second ratio to look at is HDL to LDL. This can be calculated by dividing LDL into HDL. The optimal ratio here is 1 to 0.3.

    LDL to HDL

    • The final ratio is LDL to HDL, which is calculated by dividing HDL into LDL. The optimal ratio for LDL to HDL is 2.5 to 1, with 3.5 to 1 being the highest acceptable ratio.

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