Causes

Genetics and lifestyle factors can lead to high cholesterol:

Genetics:

• Familial hypercholesterolemia is an inherited condition of very high cholesterol that runs in families.
• Some people are more genetically inclined than others to have high cholesterol whether or not they exercise or if they have a high-saturated fat diet.
• Other people, especially people for whom diabetes runs in the family, inherit high triglyceride levels. Triglycerides can push up cholesterol levels.

Lifestyle factors:

• Diet: Too much saturated fat in your diet can cause your body to make more cholesterol, raising your blood cholesterol levels. Lower your cholesterol levels by cutting down on fat and eating foods rich in starch and fiber, such as fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
• Activity level: Regular exercise lowers the bad kind of cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) while raising the good kind of cholesterol (HDL cholesterol).
• Weight: Being overweight contributes to rising blood cholesterol levels. Fortunately, efforts to lower your cholesterol will also help control your weight.

In the Encyclopedia:

This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.