The total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol ratio can help a person know if they are consuming enough good cholesterol and to limit sources of bad cholesterol. It can be measured by dividing the total cholesterol by the HDL level. Ideally, the ratio should be below 4.
Total cholesterol does fluctuate, so more than one blood test might be required for an accurate assessment. Levels can change following a meal, so sometimes a blood test will be taken first thing in the morning before a person has breakfast. Studies suggest that the total cholesterol to HDL ratio is a better marker of the risk of heart disease than LDL cholesterol levels alone. Another method of assessing cholesterol levels is calculating a non-HDL cholesterol level.
This is measured by subtracting HDL cholesterol from the total cholesterol. This method is considered to be more accurate by some doctors because it includes very low-density lipoprotein VLDL levels in the calculation.
A higher value than that increases the risk for heart disease. It is important to talk to a doctor before taking niacin supplements. People trying to lower their LDL cholesterol should also avoid eating saturated and trans fats. Foods to avoid are:. High LDL cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease, but it can often occur without any symptoms. It is recommended that people over 40 years of age arrange a blood test to check their cholesterol levels and total cholesterol to HDL ratio.
Cholesterol: The good and the bad Two types of lipoproteins carry cholesterol to and from cells. Triglycerides Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in the body. Last Reviewed: Nov 6, Calculator What's your risk for a heart or stroke event? Check your risk. Watch, Learn and Live See your cardiovascular system in action with our interactive illustrations and animations. The general recommendations are: For people who are age 19 or younger: The first test should be between ages 9 to 11 Children should have the test again every 5 years Some children may have this test starting at age 2 if there is a family history of high blood cholesterol, heart attack, or stroke For people who are age 20 or older: Younger adults should have the test every 5 years Men ages 45 to 65 and women ages 55 to 65 should have it every 1 to 2 years What can affect my LDL level?
Things that can affect your LDL level include Diet. Saturated fat and cholesterol in the food you eat make your blood cholesterol level rise Weight. A lack of physical activity can lead to weight gain, which can raise your LDL level Smoking. Cigarette smoking lowers your HDL cholesterol. Age and Sex. As women and men get older, their cholesterol levels rise. Before the age of menopause, women have lower total cholesterol levels than men of the same age.
After the age of menopause, women's LDL levels tend to rise. Your genes partly determine how much cholesterol your body makes. High cholesterol can run in families. For example, familial hypercholesterolemia FH is an inherited form of high blood cholesterol.
Other medical conditions. Certain races may have an increased risk of high blood cholesterol. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
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