| Cholesterol
Ratios
QUESTION: Dear
Dr Hansen, My husband, aged 55, has had a recent checkup and
has been told his cholesterol is high - around 7 I think. My
question is this. We have been aware of his problem for the
last 15 years, and make a concerted effort to not eat the wrong
things. Generally we eat the same food - why does he have this
problem, and I do not [mine's fine- 3]. Thank you Jenny
ANSWER: Dear
Jenny,
You must be referring to your husband's Total Cholesterol / HDL (Good Cholesterol)
Ratio. This ratio is the number that is most strongly correlated with the
risk of heart disease: the higher the number the higher the risk of heart disease.
The average ratio for men in America is 5.0 and the average American male dies
of heart disease. The average ratio for American men who suffer a heart attack is
5.5. The average ratio for women in America is 4.4 and again the average American
woman (one out of every two American women) dies from heart disease. The
average ratio for American women who suffer a heart attack is 4.6. The
ideal Chol/HDL ratio is 2.8-3.4 for both men and women.
Your
husband's ratio is 7.0, while your ratio is 3.0. Although
you both eat the same diet, you may not eat the same quantity
and you may both metabolize fats and carbohydrates differently.
Additionally, your husband may have a genetic propensity
to make more cholesterol than you.
|
