1. What is Total Cholesterol?

Total cholesterol is a measurement of the total amount of cholesterol in your blood, which includes HDL (high-density lipoprotein), LDL (low-density lipoprotein), and VLDL (very low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol. It's an important indicator of cardiovascular health.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( TC \) — Total cholesterol (mmol/L)
• \( HDL-C \) — HDL cholesterol (mmol/L)
• \( LDL-C \) — LDL cholesterol (mmol/L)
• \( TG \) — Triglycerides (mmol/L)

Explanation: The formula calculates total cholesterol by summing HDL, LDL, and VLDL cholesterol (estimated as TG/2.2).

3. Importance of Cholesterol Calculation

Details: Monitoring total cholesterol levels is crucial for assessing cardiovascular risk and making informed decisions about lifestyle changes and medical interventions.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter HDL-C, LDL-C, and TG values in mmol/L. All values must be valid (≥0). For accurate results, use fasting lipid profile measurements.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are optimal cholesterol levels?
A: Optimal total cholesterol is typically below 5.2 mmol/L, though individual targets may vary based on overall cardiovascular risk.

Q2: Why divide triglycerides by 2.2?
A: This conversion estimates VLDL cholesterol, as VLDL carries most triglycerides in the blood (VLDL ≈ TG/2.2 in mmol/L).

Q3: When should cholesterol be measured?
A: Fasting for 9-12 hours before testing provides the most accurate results, particularly for triglyceride measurements.

Q4: Are there limitations to this calculation?
A: This formula provides an estimate. Direct measurement of total cholesterol through laboratory testing is more accurate.

Q5: How often should cholesterol be checked?
A: Adults should have cholesterol checked every 4-6 years, or more frequently if risk factors exist or previous results were abnormal.