Cholesterol can be good or bad but when it gets too high it can cause serious health complications. LDL or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is known as bad cholesterol. It collects in your arteries, causing buildups and blockages to occur. HDL cholesterol will come along and sweep this bad cholesterol back into the liver where it can be cleared up. However, when your LDL count gets too high, it becomes difficult for HDL to do its job. Fortunately, there is such a thing as an LDL cholesterol calculator.

This tool allows you to calculate your LDL count by inputting the amount of HDL and the total amount of cholesterol in your system. When it comes time to determine your cholesterol ratio so that you can check where you are in terms of health, you divide the amount of HDL by the total amount. If the resulting value is 3.5:1 or less then you can usually declare that you have a healthy cholesterol level.

Online Tools

In order to find the value, you need to solve the equation in an LDL cholesterol calculator. You will first need to make a visit to your doctor. He or she will draw blood, test it, and give you an idea of your health in terms of your cholesterol levels. If you want to do a little bit of extra research on your own there are various online tools now at your disposal.

The calculators work using measurements of mmol/L and counting the total amount of cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL cholesterol to find a final figure. The triglyceride count should be taken without any food in the system to upset the reading. Your doctor will likely ask you to fast, or at least skip breakfast before taking the test so that numbers obtained will be correct.

Outcomes Of The Calculator

Once the LDL cholesterol calculator gives you your reading, you are able to make a decision on how to go forward with rectifying your high or low cholesterol level. This tool is highly useful, especially for those who are at risk of heart disease.

High cholesterol, especially overly high levels of LDL cholesterol, can be lowered through lifestyle changes. Cutting out cigarettes, alcohol, highly fatty or salty processed foods, and starting to exercise more can make a big impact on your next calculation. Getting enough sleep, drinking enough water, and taking care of yourself in other ways can also help battle the risks of heart disease.

Easy To Use

One benefit of the cholesterol calculators is their convenience and usability. Even someone who is not highly efficient on a computer can determine the amount of LDL cholesterol in his or her system once he or she has been supplied with the other necessary data. Many of these tools will also help you to calculate your cholesterol ratio and then give you a reading as to whether you are normal or at risk.

Individuals with high readings and warnings of being at risk of heart disease should speak to a physician as soon as possible. This is especially true for those who have much higher than usual levels of LDL.