Increasing Age
Your risk of high cholesterol increases as you get older. Men age 45 or older and women age 55 or older are at increased risk of high cholesterol and heart disease.
Women who are Postmenopausal
Anyone can have high cholesterol; however women after menopause are at a higher risk. It is due to their increasing age as well as the hormonal changes associated with menopause. Menopause even increases the risk for heart disease among women.
A 2009 study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology states that LDL cholesterol increases rapidly after menopause.
Genetics and Family History
Ggenetics and hereditary factors can also increase your risk of having high cholesterol levels. If you have a close family member who has cholesterol problems or heart disease, be alert and get your cholesterol levels checked more often to be on the safe side.
Obesity
Being obese can increase your LDL cholesterol level and lower your HDL level. In fact, a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above puts you at risk of high cholesterol.
In addition, obesity can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, chronic kidney disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and many other conditions.
Try to maintain a healthy weight to reduce your risk of high cholesterol as well as heart disease.