1. What is Cholesterol HDL Ratio?

The Cholesterol HDL Ratio is a calculated value that compares the total cholesterol level to the HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol level in the blood. It provides an indicator of cardiovascular risk, with lower ratios generally indicating better heart health.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple ratio formula:

Where:

• Total Cholesterol — Measured in millimoles per liter (mmol/L)
• HDL — High-density lipoprotein measured in millimoles per liter (mmol/L)

Explanation: The ratio provides a simple way to assess cardiovascular risk by comparing the "bad" cholesterol components to the "good" HDL cholesterol.

3. Importance of Cholesterol HDL Ratio

Details: The Cholesterol HDL Ratio is an important cardiovascular risk marker. A higher ratio indicates higher cardiovascular risk, while a lower ratio suggests better heart health. It's commonly used in the UK healthcare system for risk assessment.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both total cholesterol and HDL values in mmol/L (UK standard units). Both values must be greater than zero for accurate calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a healthy Cholesterol HDL Ratio?
A: Generally, a ratio below 5:1 is considered good, with optimal being below 3.5:1. Lower ratios indicate better cardiovascular health.

Q2: Why use mmol/L instead of mg/dL?
A: The UK healthcare system uses millimoles per liter (mmol/L) as the standard unit for cholesterol measurements, unlike the US which uses mg/dL.

Q3: How often should this ratio be checked?
A: Adults should have their cholesterol levels checked every 4-6 years, or more frequently if you have risk factors for heart disease.

Q4: Can this ratio be improved?
A: Yes, through lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, healthy diet, maintaining healthy weight, and if necessary, medication as prescribed by your doctor.

Q5: Are there limitations to using this ratio?
A: While useful, the ratio should be considered alongside other risk factors such as age, family history, smoking status, blood pressure, and diabetes status for comprehensive cardiovascular risk assessment.