Lifestyle causes you can change
- Too much saturated and trans fat in the diet
- Being overweight, especially around the middle
- Lack of physical activity (lowers protective HDL)
- Smoking, which lowers HDL and damages arteries
- Drinking too much alcohol, which raises triglycerides
Causes you can’t change
Genetics, age and sex all play a part. Cholesterol tends to rise with age, and a family history of high cholesterol or early heart disease raises your risk. Familial hypercholesterolaemia is an inherited condition that causes very high LDL from a young age and needs medical treatment.
Health conditions and medicines
An underactive thyroid, poorly controlled diabetes, kidney or liver disease, and some medicines can raise cholesterol. That’s why unexpectedly high results are sometimes checked alongside other tests.
The good news
Most people can improve their cholesterol through diet, activity, weight and not smoking — and medication is very effective when it’s needed. Knowing your ratio and non-HDL helps you and your clinician track progress.