Cholesterol ratio usually refers to the ratio between what is commonly called good cholesterol in your body and your total cholesterol. There is some contention over just how useful this number is in determining your relative health. As with much information regarding cholesterol, there have been some changes in the perceptions about it. Most experts agree, however, that it is a number worth paying attention to.
Some experts believe that the amount of bad cholesterol you have is a more important marker. Bad cholesterol refers to low-density lipoprotein while good cholesterol refers to high-density lipoprotein. The total is the sum of the high and low density proteins with the addition of VLDL.
Your cholesterol ratio is determined by taking your total cholesterol and dividing your good cholesterol into it. There is some disagreement as to the ideal ratio but it is generally said to be either 5 to 1 or 4 to 1 at the most. When the ratio gets higher, it is said to indicate a higher risk of heart disease.
Lipoproteins are just that. They are not cholesterol. However, they transport cholesterol in the blood. When a lipoprotein has lower density, it carries more cholesterol along with it. It is thought that HDL returns cholesterol to the liver so that it can be eliminated which is way it is considered to be good.
When your ratio of total cholesterol to your HDL is higher, there is more LDL in your body. This is believed to put you at higher risk for atherosclerosis. Artery hardening can result in heart attacks or in strokes.
It is also possible to look at the LDL to HDL ratio. This might be a better indicator of your risk because the total amount of cholesterol you have includes VLDL as well. Since it is easier to get a reading of your total cholesterol, this is the figure that is most used. Most advise trying to have a level of LDL that's as low as possible, even if the cholesterol ratio is good.
What cholesterol levels should be considered dangerous are partly due to whatever other risk factors are present. For the most part, however, people are generally advised to lower the amounts of fat and cholesterol in their foods, especially trans and saturated fats.
It is recommended by the American Heart Association that everyone over 20 have their cholesterol checked. This should include the cholesterol ratio. Finding out about problems early on can give a person the warning needed to make changes to diet and lifestyle that can prevent health issues.
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