Facts on Cholesterol: If My Parents Have High Cholesterol, Will I?

It’s a fact that our cholesterol levels naturally increase as we age. Your family member might have high cholesterol due to their lifestyle rather than their genes. When high cholesterol is caused by lifestyle habits, things like more exercise and having a heart-healthy diet all have an impact on cholesterol levels. However, The Heart Foundation states that some “people might be diagnosed with high cholesterol or heart disease at a young age”.

According to The Heart Foundation, this type of high cholesterol pattern can be caused by ‘familial hypercholesterolaemia’ (FH), a genetic condition that affects around one in 250 people. FH is passed down through families, and is actually present at birth. So, how does FH affect your cholesterol levels? People who are diagnosed with FH can’t break down bad cholesterol, which means that the levels build up in the blood, increasing the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all magic number when it comes to cholesterol. The latest science says that, in general, the lower your bad cholesterol and the higher your good cholesterol, the better. Doctors treat a person’s overall risk of a heart attack or stroke based on a range of risk factors, including cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking status.

As we mentioned before, the risk of high cholesterol increases with age, and from around age 55, women are more likely to have high cholesterol than men. It’s argued that this is due to the falling levels of oestrogen (the female sex hormone) around the time of menopause, making it more important for women to have a conversation about cholesterol with their GP.

If you think you might have FH, it’s best to speak to your doctor as soon as possible to investigate further. In the meantime, small changes to your diet can make a big difference when it comes to your cholesterol. Speak to our Dietitians at Brisbane Weight Loss Surgery for guidance.