High Density Lipoproteins - LDL/HDL and total/HDL ratio

LDL/HDL and total/HDL ratios

The total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol ratio (total chol/HDL) is a number that helps us estimate the risk of developing atherosclerosis. The number is obtained  by dividing total cholesterol by HDL cholesterol. (High ratios indicate a higher risk of heart attacks, whereas low ratios indicate a lower risk).

High total cholesterol and low HDL cholesterol increases the ratio and is  undesirable. Conversely, high HDL cholesterol and low total cholesterol lowers the ratio and is desirable. An average ratio would be about 4.5. Ideally, one should strive for ratios of 2 or 3 (less than 4).