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Heart disease Overview > conditions and diseases >
high cholesterol 101
Risk Factors
There are some risk factors for high cholesterol you can’t control:
- Age: Cholesterol levels rise with age. After age 20, you should get a cholesterol test at least once every five years. Your doctor may recommend more frequent testing if you have other risk factors.
- Gender: After menopause, women’s LDL levels tend to rise.
- Heredity: If high cholesterol runs in the family, you're at greater risk.
Risk factors for high cholesterol you can control:
- Excess Weight: Being overweight can increase your cholesterol.
- Sedentary Lifestyle: Regular physical activity helps lower LDL and raise HDL.
- Diabetes: High blood sugar increases cholesterol levels and damages the lining of your arteries.
- Smoking: Cigarette smoking lowers HDL and increases the likelihood of blood clots.
- Medications: Certain medications can cause high cholesterol. Talk to your doctor about any medications you are taking.
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