Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is made by your liver and can also be found in foods that come from animals. Your body uses cholesterol to make hormones, cell membranes and steroid hormones. Cholesterol can also play a role in cardiovascular disease. One way of assessing your risk of cardiovascular problems is to look at your ratio of one form of cholesterol, known as HDL, compared to your total cholesterol.
Cholesterol and Atherosclerosis
High levels of cholesterol can increase your risk of developing atherosclerosis, a condition caused by cholesterol accumulating in the walls of your arteries to form masses known as atherosclerotic plaques. If you develop these plaques, the affected areas of your arteries will become narrow and stiff. Not only will this raise yoru blood pressure and put extra strain on your heart, these plaques can impede blood flow in the small arteries that supply blood to the heart and brain. This increases your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
High-Density Lipoprotein
Cholesterol does not move around in your blood on its own. Instead it is transported, along with other proteins and lipids, in complexes known as lipoproteins. There are two main kinds of lipoproteins in your blood: low-density and high-density lipoproteins, also known as LDL and HDL. High levels of LDL are associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis. Elevated levels of HDL, on the other hand, are considered to be good for you because these lipoproteins can remove excess cholesterol from the blood and transport it to the liver, reducing your risk of atherosclerosis.
Cholesterol HDL Ratio
One way of assessing your risk for atherosclerosis is to measure your ratio of total cholesterol to your HDL levels, EMedTV reports. Cholesterol and HDL levels are measured as part of a blood test known as a lipid panel and are usually measured in terms of milligrams per deciliter of blood. To determine your total cholesterol to HDL ratio, you divide your total cholesterol by your HDL values. The ideal ratio is 3.5 to 1, and most people should aim to keep their ratio at 5 to 1 or lower.
Increasing HDL
One way to lower your total cholesterol to HDL ratio is to increase your HDL cholesterol levels. One way to do this is by losing excess body weight, the Mayo Clinic notes, because excess body fat can lower your HDL levels. Reducing your saturated fat intake to less than 7 percent of your total calories and getting more physical exercise can also boost your HDL levels. Niacin supplements are also effective at increasing the amount of HDL cholesterol in your body.
