High cholesterol: risk factors

The risk factors for high cholesterol are:

• Diet - a high intake of saturated fats or trans fats is likely to raise cholesterol levels in the blood (cholesterol itself in the diet having very little effect).
• Genetics and metabolism - have an influence. Some inherited conditions give very high cholesterol levels.
• Lack of exercise - can increase cholesterol levels. Physical activity tends to increase the level of high density lipoprotein (HDL) ('good' cholesterol).
• Getting older - leads to a gradual increase in cholesterol level.
• Drinking alcohol to excess - the metabolism of alcohol feeds into pathways of fat metabolism.