What causes high cholesterol?

High cholesterol is often caused by lifestyle habits, such as an unhealthy dietary pattern. However, genetics also strongly influence cholesterol levels. In people with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), for example, there is typically a defect in the LDL receptor, which reduces the rate of LDL removal from the blood.^[1] FH is treated with pharmacotherapy, as lifestyle modifications alone are insufficient to achieve a healthy LDL-C level.