Additional cholesterol that is not needed by the body travels in the bloodstream and sticks to the walls of the heart.
Cholesterol levels tend to rise after menopause.
Between the ages of 45-55, women's cholesterol levels begin to rise higher than men's, soaring to dangerously high levels. After age 55, total cholesterol levels remain much higher in women than in men. High triglyceride levels are harmful and are often found with high LDL and high total cholesterol levels. Only in women do high triglyceride levels correlate to an increased risk of heart attack. Your doctor may suggest treatment with lipid-lowering medications.