High Cholesterol

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Some things that increase your risk for high cholesterol are things you can change, but some are not. It's important to lower your risk as much as possible.

Things you can change include:

  • Eating foods high in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol.
  • Being overweight.
  • Not being active every day.
  • Smoking.

Each of these things can raise your LDL, lower your HDL, or both.

Taking certain medicines can raise your cholesterol, too.

Photo of an older woman

One Woman's Story:

Linda, 56

“Terri’s heart attack scared me to death. I decided that this time, I’m doing the whole package. I’m quitting smoking for good."—Linda

Read more about Linda and how quitting smoking improved her cholesterol.

Things you cannot change include:

  • Family history. If high cholesterol runs in your family, you may have it, and it may be harder to treat.
  • Age and gender. After age 20, cholesterol levels naturally rise. In men, cholesterol levels often level off after age 50. In women, cholesterol levels stay fairly low until menopause. After that, they rise to about the same level as in men.
By: Healthwise StaffLast Revised: April 22, 2011
Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Carl Orringer, MD - Cardiology, Clinical Lipidology

© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

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