How to Understand Cholesterol Ratios

Cholesterol is a type of fat produced in your liver, and some cholesterol comes from the foods you eat. Products such as eggs, meat, palm oil and dairy contain cholesterol and can cause your levels to rise to dangerous heights. Knowing your cholesterol levels is important for good health. A cholesterol ratio uses the values from your high-density lipoprotein (HDL, or "good") cholesterol and your total cholesterol value to determine a ratio. Use this ratio to learn if you are at risk for heart disease.

Things You'll Need

• Cholesterol readings
• Calculator

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Determine your HDL and total cholesterol levels. Your family doctor can administer the test for you.

• 2

  Divide your HDL value into your total cholesterol.

• 3

  Determine your cholesterol ratio. This ratio represent the relationship between cholesterol and risk of heart disease.

• 4

  Confirm if you are at a healthy level. The optimal ratio is 3.5:1 or less. Aim to stay below 5:1. A higher ratio indicates a higher risk for heart disease, while a lower ratio indicates a lower risk of heart disease.

• 5

  Consult your physician for treatment options if your ratio is higher than 5:1.