1. What is Non-HDL Cholesterol?

Non-HDL cholesterol represents all atherogenic (artery-clogging) cholesterol particles, including LDL, VLDL, and remnant cholesterol. It's calculated by subtracting HDL (good cholesterol) from total cholesterol.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple formula:

Where:

• \( TC \) — Total cholesterol (mmol/L)
• \( HDL \) — HDL cholesterol (mmol/L)

Explanation: This calculation provides a comprehensive measure of all cholesterol particles that contribute to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk.

3. Importance of Non-HDL Calculation

Details: Non-HDL cholesterol is considered a better predictor of cardiovascular risk than LDL alone, as it includes all atherogenic lipoproteins. Many guidelines recommend non-HDL as a secondary treatment target.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter total cholesterol and HDL values in mmol/L. Both values must be valid (positive numbers, and TC should be greater than or equal to HDL).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is non-HDL cholesterol important?
A: Non-HDL provides a more complete picture of cardiovascular risk by including all atherogenic cholesterol particles, not just LDL.

Q2: What are optimal non-HDL levels?
A: Generally, non-HDL should be less than 3.4 mmol/L for most adults, and even lower for high-risk patients (<2.6 mmol/L).

Q3: When should non-HDL be calculated?
A: Non-HDL should be calculated whenever a lipid profile is obtained, especially for patients with high triglycerides or diabetes.

Q4: How does non-HDL compare to LDL?
A: Non-HDL is often a better predictor of cardiovascular risk, particularly in people with high triglycerides, diabetes, or metabolic syndrome.

Q5: Can non-HDL be too low?
A: Extremely low non-HDL levels are rare but may occur with certain medical conditions or very intensive lipid-lowering therapy.