Cause

High cholesterol can be caused by:

• What you eat. Eating too much saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol can cause high cholesterol. Saturated fat and cholesterol are in foods that come from animals, such as meats, whole milk, egg yolks, butter, and cheese. Trans fat is found in fried foods and packaged foods, such as cookies, crackers, and chips.
• Your weight. Being overweight may increase triglycerides and decrease HDL (good cholesterol).
• Your activity level. Lack of physical activity can lower your HDL.
• Your age and gender. After you reach age 20, your cholesterol naturally begins to rise. In men, cholesterol generally levels off after age 50. In women, it stays fairly low until menopause. Then it rises to about the same level as in men.
• Some diseases. Certain diseases may raise your risk of high cholesterol. These include hypothyroidism, chronic kidney disease, and other kidney problems.
• Your family history. High cholesterol may run in your family. If family members have or had high cholesterol, you may also have it.
• Cigarette smoking. Smoking can lower your HDL cholesterol.
• Certain medicines. Some medicines can raise triglyceride levels and lower HDL (good) cholesterol levels. These medicines include thiazide diuretics, beta-blockers, estrogen, and corticosteroids.