How To Find Out Your Cholesterol Ratio: Understanding Your Cholesterol Numbers

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You must have heard at least once cholesterol being mentioned by your doctor or family member and if you yet did not find out what it really is and why should you make all the efforts possible in order to maintain its levels, here is your chance.

What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is something which is normally present in our cells and blood stream as it is an important part of our system, which generally helps to produce cell membrane and various types of hormones as well. However, there are two types of cholesterol and they are good cholesterol (HDL) and bad cholesterol (LDL); while the good is essential for our body the bad can cause of fatal heart stokes by clogging of the arteries.

The only way to find out your cholesterol levels is to conduct a blood test. The normal levels of cholesterol are of a maximum 200mg/dL of LDL or less and a minimum of 40mg/dL or more of HDL.

Some doctors calculate the cholesterol ratio in order to make it easier for the patients to understand the cholesterol level.

How to Calculate the Cholesterol Ratio

In order to obtain your cholesterol ratio you first need to obtain the total cholesterol levels and then divide the HDL cholesterol level by the total cholesterol. Personally I always found it easier to calculate the HDL and LDL separately as well as monitor them in that fashion without working with the cholesterol ratio. However many find it easier to calculate and work with their cholesterol when they are aware of their cholesterol ratio.

Controlling Your Cholesterol

Besides the large amount of drugs available on the market for lowering and controlling cholesterol levels you can also play a big role by monitoring your food closely. Items that contain cholesterol and trans or saturated fats should be avoided and you can do so by reading carefully all labels of the food items you purchase.

The saying exercise and eat healthy always applies well and everyday practicing it will bring you a better and longer life. Also regular visits to your doctor will help you keep informed of your cholesterol levels as well as act before it becomes an emergency situation.

Helpful Fact

Cholesterol is not calculated by your weight, you can be slim and yet have high levels of cholesterol therefore, watching the ingredients in your food can often save your life in the long run. Educate your self and lead a richer, healthier life.


About the Author:
Eddie Lamb publishes an abundance of information on a range of topical subjects. This article How to Find out Your Cholesterol Ratio, is just one of a host of useful articles about Cholesterol listed on our site map at CholesterolArticles.



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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