(HealthDay News) -- High cholesterol is a risk factor for serious health problems, from heart attack to stroke.
The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute mentions these possible causes:
- Eating a diet high in cholesterol-rich foods, such as meat, cheese, egg yolks and other animal products. Foods high in saturated and trans fats also increase cholesterol.
- Being overweight or lack of physical activity can lead to extra pounds and boost cholesterol.
- Being age 55 or older increases your risk of high cholesterol.
- Having an inherited condition called familial cholesterolemia leads to high cholesterol.
