1. What is the Cholesterol Risk Score?

The Cholesterol Risk Score assesses cardiovascular risk using the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol. This simple ratio provides valuable insight into heart disease risk and lipid profile health.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the cholesterol risk formula:

Where:

• \( Total\ Cholesterol \) — Total cholesterol level (mg/dL)
• \( HDL \) — HDL cholesterol level (mg/dL)

Explanation: The ratio compares the amount of total cholesterol (including both "bad" LDL and "good" HDL) to the protective HDL cholesterol alone.

3. Importance of Cholesterol Risk Assessment

Details: This risk score helps identify individuals at higher risk for cardiovascular diseases. A lower ratio indicates better cardiovascular health, while higher ratios suggest increased risk.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter total cholesterol and HDL values in mg/dL. Both values must be valid (greater than 0). For accurate results, use recent blood test results.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a healthy cholesterol ratio?
A: Generally, a ratio below 5:1 is considered good, with optimal being 3.5:1 or lower. Higher ratios indicate increased cardiovascular risk.

Q2: How often should I check my cholesterol levels?
A: Adults should have cholesterol checked every 4-6 years, or more frequently if you have risk factors for heart disease.

Q3: Can this ratio be improved?
A: Yes, through lifestyle changes like regular exercise, healthy diet, maintaining healthy weight, and if needed, medication prescribed by your doctor.

Q4: Are there limitations to this risk score?
A: While useful, this ratio should be considered alongside other risk factors like blood pressure, smoking status, diabetes, and family history.

Q5: Should I fast before cholesterol testing?
A: For most accurate results, a 9-12 hour fast is recommended before cholesterol testing, though non-fasting tests can also provide valuable information.