What Increases Your Risk?

High LDL and total cholesterol are generally related to either conditions passed on in families (inherited) or poor lifestyle habits that include:

• Eating unhealthy fats and simple carbohydrates
• Not exercising regularly
• Being overweight or obese

• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Family history of early heart disease
• Active smoking
• Low HDL-cholesterol levels (also called the "good" cholesterol)
• Or if you are Black or African American