Hormonal changes
As women enter the premenopausal and menopausal stages, estrogen levels drop dramatically, leading to an increase in total cholesterol, LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides. This is a normal physiological change but increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Dr. Michael Menna, a medical expert at the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, commented: A decrease in estrogen during menopause is a direct factor that changes the structure of blood lipids in women, making cholesterol more likely to increase and causing the risk of heart disease later on.
Age
The older you are, the less effective your body is in removing excess cholesterol from your blood. Women over the age of 50, especially after menopause, are at higher risk of increasing cholesterol than men of the same age.
underlying health conditions
Some chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), chronic kidney disease, lupus or HIV can increase cholesterol. Even drugs that treat these conditions can affect blood lipid levels.
However, according to experts, a healthy lifestyle can still help control cholesterol even if you are living with chronic diseases.
Unhealthy living habits
Eating a lot of saturated fat, lack of exercise, smoking, drinking alcohol, prolonged stress and not getting enough sleep all contribute to lipid metabolism disorders. These habits not only increase LDL but also reduce HDL, a type of cholesterol that is beneficial for the heart.
Lifetime changes, no matter how small, are great for cholesterol control, emphasizes expert Amy Brownstein.
Side effects of drugs
Some medications such as steroids, antipsyetics, medications for heart rhythm disorders, diuretic drugs, retinoids (such as Accutane), or even some diabetes medications can cause high cholesterol.
Talking to your doctor about the effects of drugs on blood lipids is necessary, especially if you have a history of heart disease or high cholesterol in the family.
Genetic factors
If there is a person in the family with high cholesterol or is diagnosed with genetic hypercholesterolemia (FF), your risk will also be higher. Women with FH are often detected later than men, so LDL levels can be higher and more difficult to control.
