Eating saturated and trans fats found in animal products and processed foods, as well as foods high in cholesterol like red meat and full-fat dairy, can raise cholesterol levels. Lack of exercise and obesity increase risk of high cholesterol, while exercise boosts good cholesterol and improves cholesterol particles. Smoking damages blood vessels and may lower good cholesterol, putting one at risk. Age, diabetes, and high blood sugar also increase cholesterol risks as the body changes over time.

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MODULE 3
Risk Factors

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Eating saturated fat, found in animal
products, and trans fats, found in some
commercially baked cookies and crackers
and microwave popcorn, can raise your
cholesterol level.
Foods that are high in cholesterol, such as
red meat and full-fat dairy products, will also
increase your cholesterol.
Poor Diet

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Having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or
greater puts you at risk of high
cholesterol.
Obesity

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Exercise helps boost your body's HDL, or
"good," cholesterol while increasing the size
of the particles that make up your LDL, or
"bad," cholesterol, which makes it less
harmful.
Lack of Exercise

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Cigarette smoking damages the walls of your
blood vessels, making them more prone to
accumulate fatty deposits. Smoking might also
lower your level of HDL, or "good,"
cholesterol.
Smoking

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Because your body's chemistry changes as you
age, your risk of high cholesterol climbs. For
instance, as you age, your liver becomes less
able to remove LDL cholesterol.
Age

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High blood sugar contributes to higher levels of a
dangerous cholesterol called very-low-density
lipoprotein (VLDL) and lower HDL cholesterol.
High blood sugar also damages the lining of your
arteries..
Diabetes