Cholesterol Ratio

Cholesterol Ratio

As Measured by Total Cholesterol : HDL Ratio

What is My Cholesterol Ratio?

Your cholesterol ratio is total cholesterol: HDL ratio, and it provides a good overview of your cholesterol and lipid profile.  It is calculated by dividing your total cholesterol by your HDL cholesterol. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), you should aim to keep your ratio below 4, with the ideal ratio being below 3.5.

As a starting point it's important to note that cholesterol and triglycerides aren’t bad, actually they’re vitally important to our health. Cholesterol and Triglycerides (fat), are important energy sources that our bodies use. They are also used to support the production of Vitamin D, and hormones like testosterone as well as support our immune system.

What are Triglycerides?

Triglycerides are the most common type of fat, or lipid, in the body. They store excess energy from sugars and fats in your diet.

Triglycerides are typically composed of a ratio of 3:1, fats to sugars, hence the name triglycerides. Triglycerides are an important component of the brain, which is mostly composed of fats and hormones, in the body.

What is Total Cholesterol?

Total cholesterol is the total amount of cholesterol in your blood. Your total cholesterol includes low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in every cell in your body.

Total cholesterol is calculated as: LDL + HDL + (triglycerides/5) = total cholesterol. Total cholesterol is a factor used to measure your risk for a heart attack or stroke.

Your total cholesterol: HDL ratio is a good overview of your cholesterol and lipid profile and is calculated by dividing your total cholesterol by your HDL cholesterol. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), you should aim to keep your ratio below 4, with the ideal ratio being 3.5.

What is HDL?

High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are considered "good" cholesterol because it carries cholesterol from other parts of your body back to your liver. The liver then flushes it from the body. High levels of HDL cholesterol can lower your risk for heart disease and stroke.

HDL stands for high-density lipoproteins. It is called the "good" cholesterol because it carries cholesterol from other parts of your body back to your liver. Your liver then removes the cholesterol from your body. Experts believe that HDL acts as a scavenger, carrying cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver. Having low HDL is considered a strong risk for future cardiovascular disease.

What is LDL?

Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) is considered "bad" cholesterol because high levels can lead to a buildup of cholesterol (or plaque), which often leads to a condition known as atherosclerosis. High levels of LDL cholesterol can raise your risk for heart disease and stroke.

LDL stands for low-density lipoproteins. It is a measure of cardiovascular health. LDL particles can become oxidized or damaged by a toxic inflammatory lifestyle.

Test your Cholesterol Profile here!

The Effects of Suboptimal Cholesterol

The effects of having suboptimal Cholesterol levels can vary widely, but can increase your chances of the following conditions:

What is My Cholesterol Ratio?

Your cholesterol ratio is total cholesterol: HDL ratio, and it provides a good overview of your cholesterol and lipid profile.  It is calculated by dividing your total cholesterol by your HDL cholesterol. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), you should aim to keep your ratio below 4, with the ideal ratio being below 3.5.

As a starting point it's important to note that cholesterol and triglycerides aren’t bad, actually they’re vitally important to our health. Cholesterol and Triglycerides (fat), are important energy sources that our bodies use. They are also used to support the production of Vitamin D, and hormones like testosterone as well as support our immune system.

What are Triglycerides?

Triglycerides are the most common type of fat, or lipid, in the body. They store excess energy from sugars and fats in your diet.

Triglycerides are typically composed of a ratio of 3:1, fats to sugars, hence the name triglycerides. Triglycerides are an important component of the brain, which is mostly composed of fats and hormones, in the body.

What is Total Cholesterol?

Total cholesterol is the total amount of cholesterol in your blood. Your total cholesterol includes low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in every cell in your body.

Total cholesterol is calculated as: LDL + HDL + (triglycerides/5) = total cholesterol. Total cholesterol is a factor used to measure your risk for a heart attack or stroke.

Your total cholesterol: HDL ratio is a good overview of your cholesterol and lipid profile and is calculated by dividing your total cholesterol by your HDL cholesterol. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), you should aim to keep your ratio below 4, with the ideal ratio being 3.5.

What is HDL?

High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are considered "good" cholesterol because it carries cholesterol from other parts of your body back to your liver. The liver then flushes it from the body. High levels of HDL cholesterol can lower your risk for heart disease and stroke.

HDL stands for high-density lipoproteins. It is called the "good" cholesterol because it carries cholesterol from other parts of your body back to your liver. Your liver then removes the cholesterol from your body. Experts believe that HDL acts as a scavenger, carrying cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver. Having low HDL is considered a strong risk for future cardiovascular disease.

What is LDL?

Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) is considered "bad" cholesterol because high levels can lead to a buildup of cholesterol (or plaque), which often leads to a condition known as atherosclerosis. High levels of LDL cholesterol can raise your risk for heart disease and stroke.

LDL stands for low-density lipoproteins. It is a measure of cardiovascular health. LDL particles can become oxidized or damaged by a toxic inflammatory lifestyle.

Test your Cholesterol Profile here!

The Effects of Suboptimal Cholesterol

The effects of having suboptimal Cholesterol levels can vary widely, but can increase your chances of the following conditions:

Sources

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/752318

Disclaimer

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