| sterol levels are being tested as part of regular health | | | | an indication of how much of your total cholesterol is |
| screening all over the world yet many people are | | | | the "good stuff". |
| confused by their cholesterol numbers and how they | | | | The reason that the ratio is important is because the |
| are expressed. Part of this confusion may stem from | | | | HDL (good stuff) is so beneficial that it can protect |
| the fact that most of the cholesterol literature is | | | | you from the effects of the LDL if it is in your body |
| coming from the United States where they still | | | | in sufficient quantities. So even if your LDL is higher |
| report cholesterol levels in units that are different | | | | that desirable levels, if the HDL is high as well, if the |
| from those used in Canada, Europe and a good | | | | ratio comes within the desired range then the risk to |
| portion of the rest of the developed world. So if you | | | | your health is less. |
| are looking for information to help you understand | | | | The goal is to keep the cholesterol ratio below 5:1; |
| your cholesterol test results you might not be able to | | | | the optimum ratio is 3.5. The cholesterol ratio comes |
| understand the numbers that are reported in the | | | | in at the same number no matter which system of |
| American literature, that includes the internet. | | | | measurement is used to express the specific |
| The United States reports cholesterol levels in mg/dl | | | | cholesterol levels. |
| (milligrams per decilitre) of blood. The rest of the | | | | The cholesterol ratio is obtained by dividing the total |
| world is using the measurement called mmol (or | | | | cholesterol number by the value given for the HDL. |
| millimoles per litre). Without going back to basic | | | | For example, if a person has a total cholesterol of |
| chemistry from high school, suffice it to say that | | | | 240 mg/dL and an HDL of 60 mg/dL, the ratio would |
| they are different measurements. So is it any | | | | be 4. |
| wonder that these two ways of expressing your | | | | Using the SI system of measurement if the total |
| cholesterol numbers are so different? | | | | cholesterol is 7.20 mmol/L and the HDL is 1.8 mmol/L |
| Here is how the two different systems of | | | | the ratio is still 4. |
| measurement stack up for desirable cholesterol levels. | | | | You can see how this is a better way of |
| * Total cholesterol = less than 200 mg/dL | | | | understanding risk and prevents confusion that might |
| * LDL = less than 100-129 mg/dL (below 100 is best) | | | | result from not being familiar with the units that are |
| * HDL = more than 40 mg/dL (greater than 60 is | | | | used to express cholesterol levels. |
| considered protective against heart disease) | | | | This information is also helpful for understanding why |
| However, as expressed in the SI units (International | | | | the strategies why the for cholesterol imbalances |
| System of Measurement) that most of the world is | | | | work. Some of the best strategies are the ones that |
| using the numbers are stated differently. (You can | | | | raise the HDL levels. In particular, exercise has been |
| remember which letters refer to healthy and lousy | | | | found to be one of the best ways to improve the |
| by remembering it this way...H stands for healthy | | | | cholesterol ratio because it raises HDL levels. By |
| lipoprotein and L stands for lousy lipoprotein.) | | | | contrast smoking has been found to lower HDL levels |
| * Total cholesterol = less than 5.2 mmol/L | | | | so no exercise and smoking is a recipe for low HDL |
| * LDL = in the range of than 2.6 - 3.3 mmol/L (less | | | | levels, a poor cholesterol ratio, and a higher risk of |
| than 2.6 is best) | | | | heart disease. |
| * HDL = in the range of more than 1 to 1.5 mmol/L | | | | Cholesterol is found in every cell of the body and is |
| (higher is better) mmol/L | | | | essential for the maintenance of good health. Low |
| Can you see the difference in how the cholesterol | | | | cholesterol levels have been associated with poor |
| numbers are expressed? The difference of course is | | | | health so the goal is not to eliminate or reduce |
| in the units that are being measured. | | | | cholesterol entirely but to establish the desirable |
| Think of it like metric and imperial measures. Your | | | | levels of each type of cholesterol so that the |
| weight in pounds might be a three digit number but in | | | | protective benefits of the HDL can work for you in |
| kilograms it could be a two digit number. Same | | | | maintaining good health. |
| weight different measurements. | | | | So don't get mixed up when trying to understand |
| When used to determine risk of heart disease it is | | | | you cholesterol levels. No matter what way the |
| not the specific cholesterol levels that are analyzed | | | | numbers are expressed the message is the same. |
| but rather the ratio of HDL in your total lipid profile. | | | | You want to have enough of the good stuff and not |
| This number is called the cholesterol ratio and it gives | | | | so much of the bad stuff! |