Understanding the Ratio
It’s important to understand that having high cholesterol puts you at risk for heart disease and increases your chances of having a heart attack or stroke. But it’s equally important to understand that balancing your cholesterol is essential too.
Good balance means a healthy diet that is low in saturated fats and higher in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lower fat dairy and lean meats and fish. It also means adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes plenty of physical activity.
In terms of cholesterol, knowing your LDL or “bad” cholesterol level is important, but it is only part of the story. You also have to balance your "good" cholesterol (HDL) and your "bad" cholesterol (LDL). This balance is reflected in a simple number called your Cholesterol Ratio. In fact, your Cholesterol Ratio is among the best predictors of long-term cardiovascular risk. Knowing your number could change your life.