What should the ratio be between a person's HDL and LDL cholesterol?

The ratio of total cholesterol to HDL has some value. The number used as a target was 3.0, with a lower number representing a lower risk. A person can have a good ratio with a high total cholesterol when the HDL (good) cholesterol is high. The converse is true for a very low HDL.
The absolute values for LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol are more reliable guides for determining intensity of treatment. An HDL level of less than 40 milligrams per deciliter is low, and less than 30 mg/dL is very low.
Goals for LDL cholesterol level depend upon presence or absence of other risk factors. If someone has coronary heart disease, or multiple other risk factors for coronary heart disease, or diabetes, the goal for LDL cholesterol is less than 100 milligrams per deciliter. Without additional risk factors, a high LDL with an HDL greater than 60 would be less worrisome and, if calculated, usually show a low ratio.

Does stress affect cholesterol levels?

Stress can have an indirect affect on cholesterol.

Stress tends to elevate blood levels of the fight-and-flight hormones by stimulating the release of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol from the adrenal glands. These hormones tell the body's fat to send out more triglyceride into the blood stream. Triglyceride is one component of the total cholesterol count.

Overeating and eating the wrong foods may affect on cholesterol. Many people react to stress in just this way. Stress may also cause a person to stop his or her daily exercise. The result could be an increase in total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides. In addition, not exercising might lower the HDL (good) cholesterol level.