Hikers make their way up the trail to Grays Peak, located on the Continental Divide. Paired with nearby Torreys Peak, the two mountains combine for a solid 1-2 punch for a beginner looking to summit their first fourteener. (Photo: Stephen Meyers/The Coloradoan )Buy Photo.
The ratio of HDL/LDL looks at the ratio of good cholesterol (HDL) to bad cholesterol (LDL). The ratio is determined by dividing the LDL cholesterol into the HDL cholesterol. For example, if a person has an HDL cholesterol of 50 mg/dL and an LDL cholesterol of 150 mg/dL, the HDL/LDL ratio would be 0.33. The goal is to keep the ratio above 0.3, with the ideal HDL/LDL ratio being above 0.4.
The total cholesterol to HDL ratio is determined by dividing the total cholesterol by the HDL cholesterol. For most people, the goal is to keep this ratio below 5:1, with the ideal being below 3.5:1. It should be noted that research scientists and doctors are divided on the effectiveness of using cholesterol ratios (including the total cholesterol/HDL ratio) to predict the chances of developing heart disease.