More Than Just Diet - Your Cholesterol Factors

Many factors affect your cholesterol level; some are under your control, while others such as age, gender, and heredity are not. Things that you can control include:Your diet. While saturated fat in your diet is the main source that may cause your blood cholesterol levels to raise, cholesterol in food sources is also important; reducing theses dietary sources of cholesterol can help to lower your blood cholesterol levels.

Your weight. If you are overweight, your risk for heart disease and high blood cholesterol is greatly increased. If you lose weight you can lower your LDL and total cholesterol levels and help to increase your HDL and reduce your triglyceride levels.

Being physically inactive. Another risk factor for heart disease, as well as a contributing factor in being overweight is a lack of regular physical activity. Regular physical activity helps to lower LDL and raise HDL cholesterol. According to a report on a new study of diet and exercise by the National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine one hour of physical activity is now recommended to reduce health risks.Because other factors such as age, gender, and heredity are things you cannot change, controlling your diet, weight, and amount of physical activity are even more important. The fact is that the older we get the higher blood cholesterol levels will rise. Women are particularly susceptible to the age factor since before menopause total cholesterol levels are lower than men of the same age; however, post menopausal women often see an increase in LDL levels. You may also be genetically predisposed to high blood cholesterol levels since high cholesterol can run in families.Your risk for developing heart disease or having a heart attack depends on the number of risk factors you have in addition to high blood cholesterol; generally, the higher your LDL level the higher your risk of developing heart disease or having a heart attack. If you already have heart disease, your risk is significantly higher than someone who does not have heart disease. If you have diabetes, you risk is greater as well. Other major risk factors that have an impact on your LDL levels include:Smoking cigarettes. If you smoke, stop; if you don't smoke, don't start!

High blood pressure. If your blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg or higher or if you are already taking blood pressure medication, you are at increased risk for heart disease or heart attack.

Low HDL cholesterol. HDL levels of less than 40 mg/dL increase your risk; while HDL levels of 60o mg/dL or higher do not increase your risk of heart disease or heart attack.

Family history. If your family history includes heart disease in your father or brother before age 55 or heart disease in mother or sister before age 65, your risk is increased.

Age. Men who are 45 and older and women who are 55 and older face significant risk of developing heart disease or heart attack if their cholesterol levels are high.Although being overweight and/or physically inactive are not included in this list they are factors which must be considered and corrected.