Causes
Many factors determine whether your LDL cholesterol is high or low, including:
- age (cholesterol levels increase with age)
- alcohol consumption
- diet
- gender (men have higher cholesterol)
- heredity
- level of physical activity
- weight
Another cause of high cholesterol is eating foods that are high in saturated fats and cholesterol. Other factors that can increase your cholesterol levels include an inactive lifestyle and being overweight. In some cases, high cholesterol is an inherited genetic condition, called familial hypercholesterolemia. This condition puts you at an increased chance of developing heart disease at an early age.
Some medical conditions, such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, liver disease, and kidney disease can raise cholesterol levels.