The causes of high cholesterol are multiple and they often include inherited genetic dysfunctions, which determine both an overproduction of cholesterol inside the body and inefficient elimination of the substance out of the system. Although most people think that high cholesterol is entirely the consequence of inappropriate diet, inactive lifestyle and obesity, genetic heritage is also a very common cause of excessive accumulation of cholesterol inside the body. This is a pertinent explanation for the fact that even persons who keep strict diets, exercise regularly and struggle to maintain a normal BMI (body mass index) may eventually develop heart disease or other disorders associated with cholesterol deposition inside the body.

High cholesterol can be the consequence of one or more of the following risk factors: physical inactivity, bad diet, obesity, age, gender and genetic heritage.

Sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet and obesity are nowadays the most common causes of high cholesterol and consequently, heart disease and stroke. Lots of people these days suffer from weight problems due to inappropriate diet (excessive consumption of foods rich in saturated fat, carbohydrates and salts) and lack of physical exercise (regular exercise not only helps maintaining a normal BMI, but is also a very efficient way of preventing heart disease and many other conditions; only 15 minutes of physical exercise a day can help reduce cholesterol levels and strengthen the organism). In order to efficiently prevent the development of serious complications associated with high cholesterol, overweight patients with cholesterol problems are advised to exercise daily and to respect an adequate, healthy diet.

Age and gender are also factors that considerably influence cholesterol levels. Although persons can be faced with cholesterol problems at any age (children as young as 10 have been recently diagnosed with heart disease due to high cholesterol), cholesterol levels gradually increase with age. Despite the fact that men are more likely to be faced with high cholesterol levels at a certain point in life (the male body generally produces larger quantities of cholesterol), women can also suffer from heart disease and other conditions as a consequence of high cholesterol. While men are more exposed to developing heart disease due to high cholesterol after the age of 40, women rarely develop such problems before menopause (usually prior to the age of 50).

Genetic heritage is another very important factor that contributes to cholesterol problems. Persons confronted with high cholesterol levels due to genetic dysfunctions either produce excessive quantities of the substance or are unable to properly eliminate the substance from the body. On these premises, cholesterol levels are very difficult to control and even the most efficient cholesterol-lowering medications may sometimes fail to normalize cholesterol values in such categories of people. Persons with high cholesterol levels who also have a family history of heart disease should corroborate medication treatments with proper diet and regular physical exercise in order to efficiently prevent the occurrence of serious complications.