Calculate your Cholesterol Ratio (Total Cholesterol to HDL) to assess your cardiovascular risk.
Understanding Your Cholesterol Ratio
Your cholesterol ratio is a powerful indicator of your cardiovascular health. It's calculated by dividing your Total Cholesterol level by your HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) Cholesterol level. HDL cholesterol is often called "good" cholesterol because it helps remove LDL ("bad") cholesterol from your arteries. A lower cholesterol ratio generally indicates a lower risk of heart disease, while a higher ratio suggests an increased risk.
Why is this ratio important? While your total cholesterol number gives you a snapshot, the ratio provides a more nuanced view. It helps to understand how much of your total cholesterol is "good" cholesterol. For instance, two people might have the same total cholesterol, but the one with a higher HDL level will have a more favorable ratio and a lower risk.
How to Calculate Your Cholesterol Ratio:
The formula is straightforward:
Cholesterol Ratio = Total Cholesterol (mg/dL) / HDL Cholesterol (mg/dL)
For example, if your Total Cholesterol is 200 mg/dL and your HDL Cholesterol is 50 mg/dL:
Calculation: 200 mg/dL / 50 mg/dL = 4.0
Your cholesterol ratio would be 4.0:1 (often written as 4:1).
Interpreting Your Results:
General guidelines for cholesterol ratios (aim for the lower end):
Excellent: Less than 3.5:1
Good: 3.5:1 to 4.4:1
Borderline High: 4.5:1 to 4.9:1
High Risk: 5:1 or higher
Important Note: These are general guidelines. Always consult with your healthcare provider for a personalized interpretation of your cholesterol levels and ratio, as other risk factors (like blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, and family history) also play a significant role in assessing your overall cardiovascular risk. This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
function calculateCholesterolRatio() {
var totalCholesterolInput = document.getElementById("totalCholesterol");
var hdlCholesterolInput = document.getElementById("hdlCholesterol");
var resultDisplay = document.getElementById("result");
var totalCholesterol = parseFloat(totalCholesterolInput.value);
var hdlCholesterol = parseFloat(hdlCholesterolInput.value);
// Clear previous error messages or results
resultDisplay.style.display = "none";
resultDisplay.style.backgroundColor = "var(–success-green)"; // Reset color
// Input validation
if (isNaN(totalCholesterol) || isNaN(hdlCholesterol)) {
resultDisplay.innerHTML = "Please enter valid numbers for both cholesterol values.";
resultDisplay.style.backgroundColor = "#dc3545"; // Red for error
resultDisplay.style.display = "block";
return;
}
if (totalCholesterol < 0 || hdlCholesterol < 0) {
resultDisplay.innerHTML = "Cholesterol values cannot be negative.";
resultDisplay.style.backgroundColor = "#dc3545"; // Red for error
resultDisplay.style.display = "block";
return;
}
if (hdlCholesterol === 0) {
resultDisplay.innerHTML = "HDL Cholesterol cannot be zero for ratio calculation.";
resultDisplay.style.backgroundColor = "#dc3545"; // Red for error
resultDisplay.style.display = "block";
return;
}
if (totalCholesterol < hdlCholesterol) {
resultDisplay.innerHTML = "Total Cholesterol must be greater than or equal to HDL Cholesterol.";
resultDisplay.style.backgroundColor = "#dc3545"; // Red for error
resultDisplay.style.display = "block";
return;
}
var ratio = totalCholesterol / hdlCholesterol;
var formattedRatio = ratio.toFixed(1); // Format to one decimal place
resultDisplay.innerHTML = "Your Cholesterol Ratio is: " + formattedRatio + ":1";
resultDisplay.style.display = "block";
}