1. What is the Cholesterol Ratio?

The cholesterol ratio is calculated by dividing your total cholesterol value by your HDL cholesterol level. It's a simple way to assess cardiovascular risk, with lower ratios generally indicating better heart health.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the cholesterol ratio formula:

Where:

• Total Cholesterol — Measured in mg/dL
• HDL — High-Density Lipoprotein measured in mg/dL
• Ratio — Unitless value indicating cardiovascular risk

Explanation: This ratio provides a better indicator of heart disease risk than total cholesterol alone, as it considers the protective effect of HDL cholesterol.

3. Importance of Cholesterol Ratio

Details: The cholesterol ratio is a significant predictor of cardiovascular disease. A ratio below 5:1 is considered ideal, while a ratio above 5:1 indicates higher risk of heart disease.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your 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 3.5:1 or lower is considered very good, while 5:1 is considered average. Ratios above 5:1 indicate higher cardiovascular risk.

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

Q3: Can I improve my cholesterol ratio?
A: Yes, through lifestyle changes like regular exercise, healthy diet (low in saturated fats), maintaining healthy weight, and if needed, medication.

Q4: Which is more important - total cholesterol or the ratio?
A: Many cardiologists consider the ratio more important as it accounts for the protective HDL component, but both values provide valuable information.

Q5: Are there limitations to the cholesterol ratio?
A: While useful, it doesn't account for other important factors like LDL levels, triglycerides, or individual risk factors such as family history and smoking.