Of all variables evaluated , only triglycerides/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL-C ) ratio was consistently and independently related to both outcomes : compared with the lowest quintile , the highest triglycerides/HDL-C ratio quintile was associated with stroke ( adjusted hazard ratio , 1.56 ; 95 % confidence interval , 1.05-2 .32 ) and stroke/coronary heart disease/vascular death ( 1.39 ; 1.05-1 .83 ) , including adjustment for lipid modifier use .