Cholesterol Ratio - How Useful Are They In Managing Your Cholesterol ?

How important is the cholesterol ratio to your health?

High density lipoprotein, is a substance found within the body that is used to transport cholesterol. It is also referred to as HDL cholesterol or "good" cholesterol.

Knowing your ratio gives useful information about your heart disease risk. However, it isn't useful for deciding what your treatment should be, because, your total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), are more useful in guiding treatment decisions than is your ratio.

You can calculate your cholesterol ratio

By dividing your high-density lipoprotein HDL, into your total cholesterol. For example:>

If your total is:>

200 (mg/dL) (5.2 mmol/L)

And your HDL is:> 50 (mg/dL) (1.3 mmol/L),

Your ratio is 4-to-1.

The aim is to keep your ratio 4-to-1 or lower

A higher ratio indicates a higher risk of heart disease.

A lower ratio indicates a lower risk of heart disease.

For treatment purposes

It's important to know absolute numbers for all your levels, including HDL, LDL and total cholesterol, than to know ratios. This is because HDL and LDL both affect your heart disease risk. And any treatment may be directed at improving both.

High LDL In Children

How is it treated?

Treatment in children is controversial among doctors. Many doctors think that diet and exercise are the best initial treatment for children age 2 and older who have high ldl and obese.

However, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends treating children with prescription drugs. Drugs such as statins, for children age 8 and older if a child has a high level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL).

They arrived at this conclusion, because some researchers think that heart disease in adulthood can begin to develop early in a child's life if his or her cholesterol level is too high.

Please view this video for a better understanding of cholesterol ratio.

HDL Cholesterol Ratio Misconceptions

However, other doctors disagree that drugs are necessary or appropriate for this treatment. They also caution that, little research has been done on the safety and effectiveness of these drugs in children. Some doctors also think few children have a level high enough to require drugs.

The long-term effects of these drugs to treat high cholesterol in children haven't been studied extensively. In addition, certain medications such as niacin aren't recommended for children because of safety concerns.

The disagreement and controversy in the medical community about treating children are ongoing. It is best to talk to your child's doctor about what's best for your child.

Please remember, it is not the ratio that is useful in deciding your treatment.

But your total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), levels that are more important in guiding your treatment decisions.

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