Cholesterol/HDL Ratio

Routine annual

also tc:hdl

What it isA simple ratio — total cholesterol divided by HDL — that compares the atherogenic burden against the protective fraction in a single number.

DoesEstimates the balance between cholesterol going into vessel walls and cholesterol being carried back to the liver.

GoodA low ratio means the protective fraction is large relative to the total and tracks lower cardiovascular event rates.

BadA high ratio captures the dyslipidemia of metabolic syndrome and predicts heart attack and stroke.

Standard

<5 desirable; <3.5 optimal.

Optimal

2.0–3.0 (lower is good)

Modifiers

Shifts with diet, exercise, weight; women generally run lower.

How to optimize

Lifestyle: Zone 2 cardio, resistance training, weight loss.
Diet: Cut saturated fat and refined carbs; olive oil, fatty fish, nuts.
Supplements: Omega-3 EPA+DHA (2–4g/day), psyllium fiber (10g/day), plant sterols (2g/day), berberine (500mg 3×/day).
Peptides: —
Drugs: Statins, ezetimibe, PCSK9 inhibitors.

within Cholesterol & Lipids