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.
As an example, if your TC is 158 mg/dL and your HDL is 43 mg/dL, your cholesterol ratio would be 3.7. Now, according to the AHA (American Heart Association), the number we are aiming for is below 5, with the ideal being close to 3.5. In other words, a lower TC/HDL ratio is better since your aim is to increase your HDL cholesterol numbers and reduce your total cholesterol overall.