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.
Total Cholesterol/HDL Ratio The ratio of total cholesterol to HDL is considered the best indicator for heart disease risk. Since HDL protects the heart and vessels, increasing the HDL level may be as important as decreasing the total cholesterol. A person with a ratio of 3.4 for men, or 3.3 for women, has half the average risk of heart disease. A person with a ratio of 24 for men, or 11 for women, has three times the average risk.