High Cholesterol Causes & Risks

Causes

Causes of high cholesterol include:

Genetics
High-fat diet
Overweight
Sedentary lifestyle
Excess alcohol intake
Liver or kidney disease
Anorexia nervosa
Underactive thyroid disease

Risk Factors

These factors increase your chance of high cholesterol:

Age: cholesterol levels tend to rise with age
Sex:
- Males
- Females after menopause
Family members with high cholesterol
High-fat diet
Obesity , overweight
Sedentary lifestyle

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2026 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.

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