Heart Health
LDL / HDL Ratio
What This Marker Tells Us
Compares atherogenic LDL particles that deposit cholesterol into artery walls against protective HDL that extracts it, revealing your cardiovascular disease risk trajectory.
Why It Matters
Captures the fundamental imbalance driving atherosclerosis: LDL delivery of cholesterol to arteries versus HDL removal of it. Even normal individual values can create dangerous ratios. High ratios predict heart attacks and strokes more accurately than LDL alone because HDL provides active protection. The ratio integrates both offensive and defensive players in cardiovascular health, revealing net risk. Optimizing this balance prevents arterial plaque accumulation and inflammatory damage.
How to Interpret Your Trends
Low ratios (below 2.0) indicate optimal cardiovascular protection with LDL damage minimized and HDL protection maximized. Typical ratios (2.0-3.5) suggest moderate risk requiring lifestyle optimization. High ratios (above 3.5) signal significantly elevated cardiovascular risk from excessive LDL, inadequate HDL, or both. The ratio accounts for individual variation in HDL efficiency.
What Influences This Marker
Saturated fat intake, trans fats, and excess refined carbohydrates raise LDL while lowering HDL, worsening the ratio dramatically. Exercise, especially aerobic training, raises HDL. Mediterranean diet patterns rich in olive oil, fish, and fiber improve both components. Weight loss, smoking cessation, and metabolic syndrome treatment optimize the ratio. Genetics significantly influence HDL baseline.
How Your Team Uses It
Your coach uses this ratio to tailor cardiovascular interventions. High ratios from low HDL emphasize exercise and healthy fats. High ratios from elevated LDL focus on dietary saturated fat reduction and fiber increase. The ratio guides whether to prioritize HDL-raising or LDL-lowering strategies based on your unique pattern.
Related Signals We Also Review
LDL, HDL, ApoB, LDL particle size and number, triglycerides, inflammatory markers, and insulin resistance indicators complete cardiovascular risk stratification.