To date, FDA has approved six statin drugs. The higher the LDL cholesterol level in the blood, the greater the heart disease risk. HDL helps prevent a cholesterol buildup in blood vessels. Low HDL levels increase heart disease risk. Even though specific genetic causes have been identified in only a minority of cases, genes still play a role in influencing blood cholesterol levels.
Excess weight tends to increase blood cholesterol levels.
Losing weight may help lower levels. Cholesterol levels naturally rise as men and women age. Menopause is often associated with increases in LDL cholesterol in women. Studies have not shown stress to be directly linked to cholesterol levels. But experts say that because people sometimes eat fatty foods to console themselves when under stress, this can cause higher blood cholesterol.