Cholesterol/HDL Ratio

LipidsHeart & VesselsBlood

A cholesterol ratio is calculated by dividing the total cholesterol figure by the HDL cholesterol figure. Non-HDL cholesterol is a related measure that subtracts HDL cholesterol, known as the good cholesterol, from total cholesterol, so the non-HDL figure includes all the bad types of cholesterol.

Why it matters: Higher ratios mean a higher risk of heart disease. For predicting the risk of heart disease, many healthcare professionals now believe that determining the non-HDL cholesterol level may be more useful than calculating the cholesterol ratio, and either of those seems to be a better risk predictor than the total cholesterol level or the LDL cholesterol level.

Source · Mayo Clinic — what it is, why it matters

Related Markers
Total CholesterolHDL Cholesterol
Common questions

What is Cholesterol/HDL Ratio?

A cholesterol ratio is calculated by dividing the total cholesterol figure by the HDL cholesterol figure. Non-HDL cholesterol is a related measure that subtracts HDL cholesterol, known as the good cholesterol, from total cholesterol, so the non-HDL figure includes all the bad types of cholesterol.

What might a high or low Cholesterol/HDL Ratio mean?

Higher ratios mean a higher risk of heart disease. For predicting the risk of heart disease, many healthcare professionals now believe that determining the non-HDL cholesterol level may be more useful than calculating the cholesterol ratio, and either of those seems to be a better risk predictor than the total cholesterol level or the LDL cholesterol level.

More in Lipids
LDL/HDL RatioTriglyceride/HDL Ratio

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