What are Cholesterol Ratios
A cholesterol test result is a compilation of several numbers that may be listed in the form of various ratios.  A basic lipid panel to test cholesterol would include: LDL, HDL, VLDL, Total cholesterol and triglycerides . In addition to these, it would also show several ratios of cholesterol. These ratios are:

* Total/HDL ratio
* LDL/HDL ratio
* HDL/LDL ratio.
* Triglycerides/HDL ratio

There are exact figures to define the level of overall cholesterol, the HDL level and the LDL levels. Coming to absolute numbers, below are mentioned the levels of various cholesterol components. Levels above or below these numbers are considered to be dangerous enough to lead to heart diseases in individuals:

* LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) should be less than 130 mg/dL, ideally less than 100 mg/dL.
* VLDL (Very Low Density Lipoprotein) should be less than 40 mg/dL.
* Triglycerides should be less than 200 mg/dL, ideally less than 150 mg/dL
* HDL (High Density Lipoproteins) should be greater than 40 mg/dL, ideally greater than 60 mg/dL.
* Total Cholesterol (HDL+LDL+VLDL) should be less than 200 mg/dL.

HDL or High Density Lipoprotein is the 'good cholesterol ' while LDL or Low Density Lipoprotein is the 'bad cholesterol '. While HDL performs the function of picking up the extra cholesterol from the blood and returning it back to the liver LDL is the main transporter of cholesterol in the body. Excess of LDL over the years could lead to its getting deposited on the side walls of the arteries which may lead to narrowing of the arteries. Thereby, the chances of heart disease and heart attack get increased.

Therefore, it is very important to keep your bad cholesterol under control .

Coming to various cholesterol ratios, you must understand that the medical fraternity has a very diverse opinion on the usage of these various ratios. Most of the doctors are in the favor of exact and absolute figures and they feel that they are the best way to judge the possible health risks being suffered by a patient. In contrast to this, there is a separate section of medical fraternity which feels that ratios are very helpful in judging the overall health condition of a patient.

Amidst all these controversies, the fact that the absolute numbers are still the most favored judgment criteria holds true. Therefore, these cholesterol ratios may be present in your report, but your health care provider is least likely to prescribe you a treatment on their basis.
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