Cholesterol: How does the HDL/LDL Ratio Relate To My Health?
Do you have problems with your cholesterol? Are you curious as to just how the HDL and LDL ratio relates to your health? You might already know HDL is high density lipoprotein also known as the good cholesterol. LDL is low density lipoprotein also known as the bad cholesterol.
When you have a test done on your cholesterol you receive results with your levels. These levels are your total cholesterol, HDL/LDL levels and your HDL/LDL ratio. This ratio compares your good cholesterol to your bad cholesterol. How is this ratio determined?
By dividing your LDL into your HDL cholesterol your ratio is determined. Doctors can look at this ratio for a better understanding of any risk you might be for heart diseases. It is known that the absolute numbers of your cholesterol are more helpful in planning any treatment than your HDL/LDL ratio.
This ratio is known to be a more pure and accurate ratio to indicating problems such as heart disease. The HDL cholesterol ratio is given more often only because it can be obtained easier.
If your doctor tells you have high total cholesterol and low HDL you should be concerned. You want your HDL levels to be higher and LDL to be lower. A higher LDL puts you at more of a risk for heart problems.
Your HDL/LDL ratio can be affected by your diet or heredity. If it is your diet you can easily go on a low cholesterol diet to help reduce any health risks. You can do this as well if it is heredity but know that diet and exercise alone may not be enough.
Exercise and a healthy low cholesterol diet are recommended more than cholesterol lowering medications. Mainly because diet and exercise have no major side effects like medications do.
If exercise and diet alone do not help you lower your cholesterol your doctor might recommend medication. Cholesterol lowering medications can have various side effects. These side effects could range from minor to serious. Talk with your doctor if this concerns you and address those concerns.
You might also want to try natural substances instead of medication. The statin drugs are not all very safe but sometimes can be the only solution. It is always best to talk with your doctor about what might help you the most. If you are really serious about controlling your cholesterol try the diet and exercise first.
If you end up needing to take statins, do your research and learn which ones will work best for you. Read the side effects and how they work. Maybe you know someone that has high cholesterol and is on medication for it. Ask them what they use and how it benefits them to see if it might also help you. The best solution is talking with your medical professional. Have your questions and concerns ready when meeting with them. Go over everything you can because you want to know just what it is you need to do. If all else, you may have to take the medication for only a short amount of time to help get your cholesterol under control. After this short period you might be able to use only exercise and a low cholesterol diet.
