According to the CDC, 17 percent of Americans are afflicted with high cholesterol, a major risk factor in heart disease, the leading cause of death in America. There is more to the numbers than just the total, however. Cholesterol ratio is important because a good ratio can help a high cholesterol number by using the positive effects of HDL against the negative effects of LDL.
Total Cholesterol
The American Heart Association recommends total cholesterol to be less than 200 mg/dL. A measurement between 200-239 mg/dL is borderline high, and above 240 mg/dL is very high.
LDL Levels
LDL readings of less then 100 mg/dL are optimal; 100-129 mg/dL is above normal; 130-159 mg/dL is borderline high; 160-189 mg/dL is high; and above 190 is very high. HDL levels for women should be no less than 50 mg/dL, while men should have no less than 40 mg/dL.
HDL to LDL
Physicians will observe three different ratios to determine risk factors. One ratio is HDL to LDL. This is figured by dividing LDL into HDL, with the optimal ratio being 1 to 0.3.
LDL to HDL
Another ratio is LDL to HDL, which is computed by dividing HDL into LDL. The optimal ratio is 2.5 to 1, as anything over 3.5 to 1 is considered unsafe.
Total Cholesterol to HDL
The last ratio physicians will observe is total cholesterol to HDL. The optimal ratio is 3.5 to 1, with anything greater than 5 to 1 being unsafe.
