A total cholesterol to HDL ratio of 10.0 indicates which level of coronary heart disease risk?

A total cholesterol to HDL ratio of 10.0 indicates which level of coronary heart disease risk?

• A. No risk
• B. Half average risk
• C. Average risk
• D. Twice average risk

Answer: (D)

The important idea is that the total cholesterol to HDL ratio reflects the balance between “bad” cholesterol carried in most lipoproteins and the protective, reverse-chHDL movement. A higher ratio means more cholesterol is carried by atherogenic particles relative to HDL, which is associated with greater coronary risk. A ratio of 10.0 is about double the level typically associated with average population risk, so it indicates twice the average risk. In other words, as this ratio climbs, risk rises, and a value around 10 signals substantially elevated coronary heart disease risk compared with the average person.

The important idea is that the total cholesterol to HDL ratio reflects the balance between “bad” cholesterol carried in most lipoproteins and the protective, reverse-chHDL movement. A higher ratio means more cholesterol is carried by atherogenic particles relative to HDL, which is associated with greater coronary risk.

A ratio of 10.0 is about double the level typically associated with average population risk, so it indicates twice the average risk. In other words, as this ratio climbs, risk rises, and a value around 10 signals substantially elevated coronary heart disease risk compared with the average person.