High cholesterol, a condition also referred to as hyperlipidemia, occurs when the cholesterol level increases to over 240mg/dL. Having high cholesterol increases your risk for developing heart disease that can lead to heart attack and stroke. Although cells within the body produce about 75 percent of the cholesterol in the blood, according to the American Heart Association, a variety of factors can increase the risk of developing high cholesterol.
Obesity
Obesity describes a condition of excess body fat. Doctors measure obesity by determining the body mass index, a number calculated using height and weight that also takes into account age and gender. An adult with a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese. If you're obese, your risk for developing high cholesterol increases due to the amount of fat consumed in your diet. Eating too much saturated or trans fats contributes to obesity and increases cholesterol levels.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, occurs when the force of the blood against the walls of the blood vessels measures 140mmHg or higher systolic pressure and 90mmHg or higher diastolic pressure. As the pressure of the blood increases, it damages the walls of the blood vessels. The sites of damage attract the accumulation of cholesterol, platelets and minerals in the blood, forming a substance known as plaque. The buildup of plaque -- a condition known as atherosclerosis -- restricts the flow of blood and increases the risk of heart disease. Therefore, high blood pressure increases the risk of cholesterol accumulating in the blood.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a potentially life-threatening condition characterized by too much glucose, commonly called sugar, in the blood. Normally during the process of digestion the body breaks down foods into glucose, which the cells use for energy. The pancreas releases insulin, a hormone that helps glucose gain entry into the cells. If you suffer from diabetes either your pancreas fails to produce enough insulin or the insulin fails to work, which allows glucose to remain in the blood. High blood sugar levels damage the walls of the arteries; this contributes to atherosclerosis. In addition, high blood sugar levels cause LDL, the "bad" cholesterol, levels to increase and HDL, the "good" cholesterol, levels to decrease, according to MayoClinic.com.
Lifestyle Factors
Other lifestyle factors contribute to high cholesterol levels. Participating in regular exercise helps to increase HDL levels while decreasing LDL levels, so a lack of exercise contributes to high cholesterol. Smoking cigarettes damages the walls of the blood vessels, which increases the risk of cholesterol accumulating into plaque. Smoking can also decrease the level of HDL, which increases the risk for high cholesterol and heart disease.
