Many people today are concerned about their level of risk of heart disease. So, they take to the Internet and find lots of guides that can help them determine what that risk might be. However, sometimes reading those charts can be confusing and actually making the calculations can be quite frustrating. There is the HDL cholesterol ratio guide that can help you to figure it out, but then you need to figure out the guide first.

What is the HDL Cholesterol Ratio?

The cholesterol ratio is a formula that can help you to determine your risk of developing heart disease. To calculate it, simply divide your high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol number into your total cholesterol number. The ideal ratio should be less than 3.5 to 1. Any number that exceeds this ratio puts you at a higher risk of developing heart disease.

But simply looking at your total cholesterol number can be very confusing since it includes both the good and the bad cholesterol together. By subtracting the non-HDL number from the total, the number remaining is the number you should be concerned about, your HDL cholesterol ratio.

The Optimal Level:

The optimal level of non-HDL cholesterol should be less than 130 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), or 3.37 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). If the number falls in a higher range than that your chances of developing heart disease increase. For that reason, it is clear that knowing the importance of your cholesterol ratio is essential.

How to Get the Numbers:

Ideally, getting the right cholesterol numbers is essential to determining your level of risk. Many people will go to their doctor's office to get tested. This way they know that the numbers are accurate. However, few are reluctant to visit the doctor and choose to take a home cholesterol kit and self-test their cholesterol.

While these home tests can give you a basic guide to your cholesterol numbers, they are not always accurate. The advantage is that if your numbers are high on a home test it may motivate you to get to a doctor for a more accurate test result.

Cholesterol Management:

Managing your cholesterol is a serious task. While the numbers are very important, keep in mind that they only show half of the picture. There are many more things that must be taken into consideration. Family history, smoking habits, alcohol intake, and high blood pressure can also have an effect on your risk of heart disease. When it comes to heart health, it's important that you look at the whole picture in order to be sure that you've done everything you can to protect your health. Yes, knowing your HDL cholesterol ratio can be extremely important in managing your health, but it is only part of the equation. Leading a balanced lifestyle with proper diet, regular exercise, and working closely with your health care professional is the best solution for managing your risk of developing heart disease. Don't stop half way with just a few numbers, it's worth it to take your time to find out all that you can about your heart health.

Cholesterol Levels Chart: