question about hdl/total cholesterol ratio

hi, i just got blood work done.
total cholesterol 261 triglycerides 84 HDL 90 LDL 154 VLDL 16

my total cholesterol went up from 200 of last year but then so did the
HDL. i did fast 12 hours prior to the blood draw.
i realize 90 is a very good HDL. should i be worried with the other high numbers?
my mother and grandmother both died at age 60 with heart attacks. i remember hearing my mother had very high triglycerides.
thanks!

Yes, I think you should be worried especially since things are trending the wrong way and you have a family history. You have not said what you are planning on doing. Diet and exercise, if appropriate to you, is always a good first step. It does not have to be a major thing.

Your ratio is good. You may also want a CRP test. You should start changing your diet now to a heart healthy one and begin getting enough exercise. According to Harvard up to 80% of heart disease is due to poor diet and/or lack of exercise. See http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/ pyramids.html

I have heard some interesting info about how cinnamon can help cardiovascular health, and lower cholesterol. I think that there is some good info on natural products that can really help. Here is something I found

www.cinnamoncholesterol.info

Good luck, I hope your health is better.

To use plain, old natural cinnamon in a daily diet has that same effect and... without the need for any "cinnamon" pills