Cardiac Risk Index Calculator
Check your cholesterol ratio, a fast marker that links to heart disease risk.
Awaiting Data
Enter your details and tap Calculate to see your results appear here.
Your result appears here.
What it measures
Cardiac risk index compares your total cholesterol with your HDL, the protective kind. Doctors call the result the cholesterol ratio, and a lower number points to a healthier heart. It often reads risk better than total cholesterol alone.
Raise HDL and the ratio falls. Movement, healthy fats, and quitting smoking all help. Learn more from the American Heart Association, then track your numbers over time.
How to use this calculator
- Find your total cholesterol and HDL from a recent blood panel.
- Enter both values in mg/dL.
- Tap Calculate for your ratio.
- Compare the figure against the ranges below.
The formula used
- total cholesterol
- All cholesterol in your blood.
- HDL
- The protective high density lipoprotein.
Understanding Your Results
Tips to Improve
- Walk briskly most days to lift HDL.
- Swap saturated fat for olive oil and nuts.
- Add oats, beans, and oily fish.
- Quit smoking to protect your arteries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many clinicians aim for under 3.5, with under 5 seen as acceptable.
No. Full risk scores add age, blood pressure, and more. This is one helpful marker.
Regular exercise, healthy fats, and stopping smoking all help.
Scientific References
- Millan, J., et al. (2009). Lipoprotein ratios as cardiovascular risk markers. Vascular Health and Risk Management, 5, 757–765.
- American Heart Association. (2024). About Cholesterol.