🫀 Castelli Risk Index
Calculate the Castelli atherogenic risk indices (TC/HDL and LDL/HDL).
Clinical takeaway
Complements absolute LDL and global risk scores.
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When to use
Summarise the balance of atherogenic and protective cholesterol.
How it works
Castelli I = TC/HDL; Castelli II = LDL/HDL. Lower is better (TC/HDL ideally < 3.5).
Key points
- Complements absolute LDL and global risk scores.
- Higher ratios indicate greater atherogenic burden.
- Not a standalone treatment trigger.
References
Decision support for licensed clinicians only; not a substitute for clinical judgement, diagnosis or local protocols.
Worked calculation
The values below come from this tool's own example placeholders and are computed server-side with the formula shown on this page, so the arithmetic can be checked quickly. It demonstrates how to substitute values only — it is not clinical advice and not a real case.
| Total cholesterol | 200 mg/dL |
|---|---|
| HDL cholesterol | 50 mg/dL |
| LDL cholesterol | 130 mg/dL |
→Castelli I4.0
- Castelli I (TC/HDL)：4.0
- Castelli II (LDL/HDL)：2.6
- Lower is better：TC/HDL < 4 (ideal < 3.5); higher ratios = greater atherogenic risk.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Castelli Risk Index?
- Calculate the Castelli atherogenic risk indices (TC/HDL and LDL/HDL).
- How is Castelli Risk Index calculated? What is the core formula?
- Castelli I = TC/HDL; Castelli II = LDL/HDL. Lower is better (TC/HDL ideally < 3.5).
- When is Castelli Risk Index used?
- Summarise the balance of atherogenic and protective cholesterol.
- What are the key clinical points for Castelli Risk Index?
- Complements absolute LDL and global risk scores. Higher ratios indicate greater atherogenic burden. Not a standalone treatment trigger.
- What are the limits and cautions when using Castelli Risk Index?
- For licensed clinicians and clinical researchers. Interpret results with history, investigations and local protocols; not a diagnosis or prescription, and not a substitute for multidisciplinary decision-making or local guidelines.
- How is Castelli Risk Index calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
- Inputs: Total cholesterol 200 mg/dL, HDL cholesterol 50 mg/dL, LDL cholesterol 130 mg/dL → Result: Castelli I 4.0（Castelli I (TC/HDL): 4.0, Castelli II (LDL/HDL): 2.6, Lower is better: TC/HDL < 4 (ideal < 3.5); higher ratios = greater atherogenic risk.）