Certain foods you eat and how you live can make your cholesterol levels go up, and that can raise the chances of getting some health problems. Some health issues and medicines you take might also make high cholesterol more likely.
Your liver makes cholesterol, which is important for your body.
High cholesterol, also called hypercholesterolemia, means there’s a lot of either LDL or total cholesterol in your body. This can happen if you eat a lot of fatty foods. Other things that can make your cholesterol go up include things like genetic problems, feeling stressed, not moving around much, taking certain medicines, and having certain health issues.
This article talks about what usually makes cholesterol go up, what healthy cholesterol levels are for adults, and ways to stop cholesterol levels from getting too high.
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is found in every part of your body. Your body makes cholesterol, but you also get it from the food you eat. It’s an oily substance and doesn’t mix with blood, which is watery.
Cholesterol does four main jobs:
– It helps build the walls of your cells.
– It helps make digestive bile acids in your intestines.
– It helps your body make vitamin D.
– It helps your body make certain hormones.
Cholesterol moves around your body in lipoproteins. There are two kinds:
– Low-density lipoprotein (LDL): This is called “bad” cholesterol because it’s not healthy.
– High-density lipoprotein (HDL): This is called “good” cholesterol because it’s good for you.
It’s also important to look at triglycerides and total cholesterol:
– Triglycerides: This is a type of fat your body uses for energy. If your triglycerides are high along with your LDL (bad) cholesterol or low HDL (good) cholesterol, it can raise your risk of heart attack and stroke.
– Total cholesterol: This is the total amount of LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides in your blood.
Causes of high cholesterol
Cholesterol in the body mostly comes from the liver. However, every cell in the body can also produce it.
Several factors can lead to increased LDL levels. Some of these include:
Genetic features
Some people have high cholesterol levels due to their genes Familial hypercholesterolemia is an inherited disease, and people with this condition have increased blood levels of LDL cholesterol.
Dietary factors
High cholesterol can result from a diet high in fat. Reducing the intake of fat in the diet helps manage cholesterol levels. In particular, it is helpful to limit foods that contain:
- Cholesterol: This is present in animal foods, meat, and cheese.
- Saturated fat: This occurs in some meats, dairy products, chocolate, baked goods, and deep-fried and processed foods.
- Trans fats: This occurs in some fried and processed foods.
Learn more about high-cholesterol foods.
Stress
Stress may contribute to high cholesterol levels.
For instance, an older 2013 study found a link between high levels of work stress and high levels of LDL and total cholesterol.
However, more research is necessary to verify the link between stress and high cholesterol levels.
Sedentary lifestyle
A sedentary lifestyle may contribute to high cholesterol levels.
A 2015 study found evidence that people with moderate weight who spend more time sitting and using a screen may have higher bad LDL and total cholesterol levels, while those who spend more time in physical activity have higher good cholesterol or HDL levels.
Medications
People who take certain drugs may have higher total and LDL cholesterol levels and lower HDL levels.
Commonly known medications that hurt lipid levels include:
- cardiovascular medications
- antipsychotics
- anticonvulsants
- hormones
- certain immunosuppressives
- SGLT2 inhibitors to treat diabetes
- progestins, anabolic steroids, and corticosteroids
Health conditions
Some health conditions increase the chance of developing high cholesterol. These include:
- diabetes
- high blood pressure
- obesity
- liver or kidney disease
- polycystic ovary syndrome
- pregnancy and other conditions that increase levels of female hormones
- underactive thyroid gland
- nephrotic syndrome
Other risk factors
Having certain risk factors can increase the chance of having high cholesterol. These include:
- excess weight or obesity
- age — 45 years and over for males and 55 years and over for females
- smoking
Levels and ranges
High cholesterol is a significant risk factor for coronary heart disease and a cause of heart attacks.
A buildup of cholesterol is part of the process that narrows arteries, called atherosclerosis. In atherosclerosis, plaques form and cause restriction of blood flow.
For this reason, doctors recommend keeping total and LDL cholesterol levels within certain ranges. They measure cholesterol in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).
The table below shows optimal cholesterol levels, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Type of cholesterolOptimal cholesterol levels
| Type of cholesterol | Optimal cholesterol levels |
|---|---|
| LDL “bad” cholesterol | about 100 mg/dL |
| HDL “good” cholesterol | at least 40 mg/dL in men and 50 mg/dL in women |
| total cholesterol | about 150 mg/dL |
Preventing high cholesterol
Knowing the causes of high cholesterol can help a person reduce or manage their cholesterol levels, including:
- eating a heart-healthy diet
- exercising regularly
- avoiding smoking
- achieving and maintaining a moderate weight
Since 2018, new guidelines urged doctors to discuss with individuals the following factors that may increase risk:
- family history and ethnicity
- certain health conditions that increase the risk of high cholesterol, such as chronic kidney disease or chronic inflammatory conditions
Taking these factors into consideration will lead to a more personalized approach to the treatment and prevention of high cholesterol levels.
Cholesterol is an essential substance that the body produces but which people also consume in foods such as meat, dairy, and poultry products.
Some people have a family history of high cholesterol, and genetic factors may play a role.
Eating a heart-healthy diet and exercising regularly are some lifestyle choices people can make to manage their cholesterol levels.
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