High Cholesterol Risk Factors

Certain factors can affect the cholesterol levels in the blood; some controllable others uncontrollable.

By putting genuine effort, you can limit controllable risk factors. But, you cannot change uncontrollable cholesterol risk factors.

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1. Unhealthy food habits - Dietary cholesterol does not cause any significant impact on cholesterol level. But trans fats may raise the blood cholesterol levels. Because trans fats are man-made by hydrogenation of vegetable oil. Eating too much carbohydrate or excess calorie elevates the cholesterol level and fat storage.
2. A sedentary lifestyle is a lack of exercise or physical activity. Spending most of the time sitting or lying can raise cholesterol levels.
3. Obesity or overweight: individuals have more chance to have high LDL and low HDL. These individuals put-up weight, because of taking too much of calories than required. That too from excess intake of high refined carbohydrates.
4. Alcohol overuse raises LDL level and lowers HDL level. ​The liver is under strain to remove alcohol from blood; this causes cholesterol disturbance.
5. Smoking can affect the LDL levels, harm entire body, and lead to early death.
6. Mental stress - Studies shows chronic (long standing) stress can raise blood cholesterol levels. Additionally, some individuals console themselves by eating too much of unhealthy foods. The high glycemic refined carbohydrate contributes high cholesterol level in these people.
7. Certain medicines affect your cholesterol levels by raising triglyceride and losing HDL. Such medications are thiazide diuretics, beta-blockers, estrogen, and corticosteroids.

1. Family History of stroke or coronary heart disease. Father or brother met above said condition under age 55. Otherwise, mother or sister met this condition under age 65.  Then there is a greater chance for high cholesterol.
2. Heredity - of brother, sister or parent have familial hypercholesterolemia. Then higher risk towards high cholesterol level. It is not due to unhealthy lifestyle, but genetics. Approximately, 1 in 500 people, inherits this condition from their parent.
3. Certain health conditions: Diabetes, hypertension, hypothyroidism, kidney or liver diseases may affect cholesterol levels.
4. Gender: Chances of elevated cholesterol level is greater among men than women (before menopause). But, women (after menopause) chances are greater than men.
5. Age – Cholesterol level can rise with age.
6. Ethnic factor - Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Sri Lankan have increased the risk for high cholesterol.

Everyone aged 20 or older should check their blood cholesterol level at least once in every five years. To measure cholesterol level, take a blood test called a lipoprotein profile. Besides, you can take LDL particle (LDL-P). You should take these test after 9 to 12 hours of fasting.