1. What is Cholesterol Ratio?

The cholesterol ratio is calculated by dividing total cholesterol by HDL cholesterol. This ratio is used by healthcare providers to help assess cardiovascular risk, with lower ratios generally indicating lower risk.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the cholesterol ratio formula:

Where:

• Total Cholesterol — The sum of all cholesterol in the blood (mg/dL)
• HDL — High-density lipoprotein, often called "good" cholesterol (mg/dL)

Explanation: This simple ratio provides a quick assessment of cardiovascular risk by comparing total cholesterol to protective HDL cholesterol.

3. Importance of Cholesterol Ratio

Details: The cholesterol ratio is an important indicator of heart disease risk. A ratio below 5:1 is considered good, with the ideal ratio being 3.5:1 or lower. Higher ratios indicate increased cardiovascular risk.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both total cholesterol and HDL values in mg/dL. Both values must be greater than zero for accurate calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a healthy cholesterol ratio?
A: A ratio of 5:1 or below is considered acceptable, while 3.5:1 is considered optimal for heart health.

Q2: Is cholesterol ratio more important than individual numbers?
A: Both are important. While the ratio provides context, individual cholesterol levels (especially LDL) are also critical for assessing cardiovascular risk.

Q3: How can I improve my cholesterol ratio?
A: You can improve your ratio by increasing HDL through exercise and healthy fats, and decreasing total cholesterol through diet and medication if needed.

Q4: How often should cholesterol levels be checked?
A: Adults should have cholesterol checked every 4-6 years, or more frequently if you have risk factors for heart disease.

Q5: Does this ratio apply to everyone?
A: While useful for most adults, cholesterol assessment should be personalized based on individual risk factors, age, and overall health status.