From the Guidelines
To calculate your cholesterol/HDL ratio, divide your total cholesterol number by your HDL cholesterol number, as stated in the joint British recommendations on prevention of coronary heart disease in clinical practice 1. When calculating this ratio, it is essential to have both the total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol levels, which can be obtained from a standard lipid panel blood test.
- The total cholesterol level is the sum of all the different types of cholesterol in the blood, including HDL, LDL, and triglycerides.
- The HDL cholesterol level, on the other hand, is the level of "good cholesterol" in the blood, which helps remove other forms of cholesterol from the bloodstream. If the HDL cholesterol result is not available, it is recommended to assume a value of 1.0 mmol/l, as suggested in the joint British recommendations 1. The cholesterol/HDL ratio is a crucial indicator of heart disease risk, with lower ratios indicating lower risk.
- A ratio below 5:1 is generally considered good, while below 3.5:1 is optimal. This ratio is valuable because it accounts for both total cholesterol and beneficial HDL cholesterol levels. For example, if your total cholesterol is 200 mg/dL and your HDL is 50 mg/dL, your ratio would be 4:1 (200 ÷ 50 = 4). Lifestyle changes like regular exercise, a heart-healthy diet, weight management, and avoiding tobacco can help improve a high cholesterol/HDL ratio. It is essential to note that high-risk individuals, defined as those with a 10-year risk of coronary heart disease exceeding 15%, should be targeted and treated, as stated in the joint British recommendations 1.
From the Research
Calculating Cholesterol/HDL Ratio
To calculate the cholesterol/HDL ratio, you need to divide the total cholesterol level by the HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol level.
- The formula for calculating the cholesterol/HDL ratio is: Total Cholesterol / HDL Cholesterol
- For example, if your total cholesterol level is 200 mg/dL and your HDL cholesterol level is 50 mg/dL, your cholesterol/HDL ratio would be: 200 / 50 = 4
Importance of Cholesterol/HDL Ratio
The cholesterol/HDL ratio is an important indicator of cardiovascular health, as it takes into account both the total cholesterol level and the level of HDL cholesterol, which is considered "good" cholesterol 2, 3, 4.
- A higher cholesterol/HDL ratio is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease
- The ratio can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of lipid-lowering therapies and to determine the risk of coronary heart disease 2, 3
- Studies have shown that the cholesterol/HDL ratio is a strong predictor of coronary artery disease risk 3, 4
Comparison with Other Lipid Ratios
The cholesterol/HDL ratio is often compared with other lipid ratios, such as the LDL/HDL ratio and the non-HDL/HDL ratio 3, 4.