Non-HDL Cholesterol Calculator

Non-HDL Cholesterol Formula:

\[ \text{Non-HDL (mg/dL)} = \text{Total Cholesterol (mg/dL)} - \text{HDL (mg/dL)} \]

Non-HDL Cholesterol:

Unit Converter ▲

Unit Converter ▼

From:	To:

1. What is Non-HDL Cholesterol?

Non-HDL cholesterol represents all atherogenic (artery-clogging) cholesterol particles, including LDL, VLDL, and remnant lipoproteins. It's calculated by subtracting HDL (good cholesterol) from total cholesterol and is considered a strong predictor of cardiovascular risk.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple formula:

\[ \text{Non-HDL (mg/dL)} = \text{Total Cholesterol (mg/dL)} - \text{HDL (mg/dL)} \]

Where:

Total Cholesterol — The sum of all cholesterol in your blood
HDL — High-density lipoprotein (good cholesterol)
Non-HDL — All cholesterol except HDL (atherogenic cholesterol)

Explanation: This calculation provides a comprehensive measure of cholesterol that contributes to plaque buildup in arteries.

3. Importance of Non-HDL Cholesterol

Details: Non-HDL cholesterol is a valuable risk marker for cardiovascular disease. Many guidelines now recommend non-HDL cholesterol as a primary or secondary target for lipid-lowering therapy, as it better reflects atherogenic particle burden than LDL alone.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your total cholesterol and HDL values in mg/dL. Both values must be positive numbers, and HDL should not exceed total cholesterol. For accurate results, use values from a recent lipid panel.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is non-HDL cholesterol important?
A: Non-HDL includes all atherogenic cholesterol particles, making it a more comprehensive cardiovascular risk marker than LDL cholesterol alone.

Q2: What are optimal non-HDL cholesterol levels?
A: Generally, non-HDL should be less than 130 mg/dL for average risk individuals, and below 100 mg/dL for high-risk patients.

Q3: How often should I check my non-HDL cholesterol?
A: Adults should have a lipid panel every 4-6 years. Those with risk factors or existing heart conditions may need more frequent testing.

Q4: Can non-HDL be too low?
A: Extremely low non-HDL levels are rare but may occur with certain medical conditions. Generally, lower non-HDL is associated with reduced cardiovascular risk.

Q5: How can I lower my non-HDL cholesterol?
A: Lifestyle changes (healthy diet, regular exercise, weight management) and medications (statins, other lipid-lowering drugs) can help reduce non-HDL levels.