Total:HDL ratio
The Total Cholesterol to HDL ratio is one indicator that assesses an individual's risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The ratio is calculated by dividing total cholesterol by HDL, which are both components of the basic lipid panel. HDL collects cholesterol from various tissues of the body and transports it to the liver for removal. Higher HDL levels are more desirable because the more HDL that's available, the more atherogenic cholesterol that is removed.
High HDL levels in the presence of normal total cholesterol results in a lower ratio, whereas low HDL levels in the presence of high total cholesterol suggest the opposite. This ratio is one of the strongest predictors of atherogenesis, just behind non-HDL cholesterol.
Resources: American Heart Association: Cholesterol 101