1. What is the Cholesterol Ratio?

The cholesterol ratio (Reward To Risk Ratio) is calculated by dividing HDL (good cholesterol) by total cholesterol. This ratio provides insight into cardiovascular risk, with higher ratios indicating better heart health.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple formula:

Where:

• \( HDL \) — High-Density Lipoprotein (mg/dL)
• \( Total Cholesterol \) — Sum of HDL, LDL, and VLDL cholesterol (mg/dL)

Explanation: This ratio helps assess the balance between protective HDL cholesterol and overall cholesterol levels.

3. Importance of Cholesterol Ratio

Details: A higher ratio indicates a lower risk of heart disease. Ideal ratios are typically above 0.24 (or 1:4), with ratios below 0.20 indicating increased cardiovascular risk.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter HDL and total cholesterol values in mg/dL. Both values must be positive numbers for accurate calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a good cholesterol ratio?
A: A ratio above 0.24 is generally considered good, while ratios below 0.20 may indicate increased heart disease risk.

Q2: How often should I check my cholesterol ratio?
A: Adults should have 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 regular exercise, healthy diet (reducing saturated fats), maintaining healthy weight, and if needed, medication.

Q4: Is this ratio more important than individual cholesterol numbers?
A: Both are important. The ratio provides context about the relationship between HDL and total cholesterol levels.

Q5: What's the difference between this ratio and LDL/HDL ratio?
A: LDL/HDL ratio focuses specifically on bad vs good cholesterol, while this ratio looks at good cholesterol relative to total cholesterol.