Cholesterol Ratio: Understanding Your Heart Health Risk

The cholesterol ratio is a calculation that compares your total cholesterol level to your high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level. HDL cholesterol is often referred to as "good" cholesterol because it helps remove low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, or "bad" cholesterol, from your arteries.

The cholesterol ratio is calculated by dividing your total cholesterol level by your HDL cholesterol level. For example, if your total cholesterol level is 200 mg/dL and your HDL cholesterol level is 50 mg/dL, your cholesterol ratio would be 4:1.

A healthy cholesterol ratio is generally considered to be 5:1 or lower. A ratio of 6:1 or higher is considered to be high and may increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.

There are a number of things you can do to improve your cholesterol ratio, including:

* Eating a healthy diet that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol and high in fiber

* Getting regular exercise

* Maintaining a healthy weight

* Quitting smoking

* Managing your blood pressure and diabetes

If you have a high cholesterol ratio, your doctor may prescribe medication to help lower your cholesterol levels.