Understanding What Causes High Cholesterol in Women

Understanding what causes high cholesterol in women is essential for maintaining optimal heart health. High cholesterol doesn’t happen by chance—it’s the result of a combination of factors, some within your control and others influenced by age, genetics, and lifestyle.

For women, the path to healthy cholesterol is often a balancing act, as hormones, diet, exercise, and even stress all impact cholesterol levels. Fortunately, with knowledge and proactive care, cholesterol levels can be managed and even improved.

Join us as we explore the causes of high cholesterol in women, the impact it has on the body, and the steps you can take to reduce your risks and keep your heart healthy.

Understanding Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in every cell of the body. It supports the production of hormones, vitamin D, and bile acids that help digest fats.

While cholesterol is essential for normal bodily functions, too much of it can accumulate in the blood and lead to serious health problems.

The liver produces most of the cholesterol the body needs, but dietary sources—such as meat, dairy, and processed foods—can contribute to excessive levels.

Since cholesterol does not dissolve in water, it travels through the bloodstream in lipoproteins. The balance between different types of cholesterol determines overall cardiovascular health.

Causes of High Cholesterol in Women

High cholesterol in women can result from a combination of lifestyle, genetic, and medical factors. While the body needs cholesterol for essential functions, an imbalance—particularly high levels of LDL cholesterol—can significantly increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Women face unique risks due to hormonal fluctuations, pregnancy, menopause, and certain medications. Many causes of high cholesterol are preventable, but others, such as genetics, require medical intervention.

Understanding these risk factors can help women make informed choices about their health and take proactive steps to maintain balanced cholesterol levels.

Why Women Over 65 Have an Increased Risk

Women over 65 face a higher risk of high cholesterol due to hormonal changes, slower metabolism, and age-related shifts in fat distribution.

After menopause, estrogen levels drop, leading to increased LDL (bad) cholesterol and decreased HDL (good) cholesterol, which raises the risk of heart disease. Additionally, aging reduces the liver’s efficiency in clearing cholesterol from the blood.

Many older women also experience weight gain, reduced physical activity, and chronic conditions such as diabetes or hypertension, all of which contribute to elevated cholesterol levels.

How Herself Health Can Help

At Herself Health, we are committed to improving healthcare and health outcomes for Minnesota women 60+ with personalized, whole-person care. We provide comprehensive primary care services that include a strong emphasis on prevention.

We’ll carefully evaluate your health and risk factors, run necessary tests, ensure current conditions are well-managed, and develop a tailored plan to help you maintain healthy cholesterol levels.

We are currently welcoming new patients at all our senior women's health clinics. To schedule your appointment, please call 1-888-290-1209 or fill out our Contact page, and we’ll call you to book your appointment.

How High Cholesterol Affects the Body

High cholesterol negatively impacts the body by promoting the buildup of fatty deposits, known as plaque, in the arteries.

Cholesterol itself is essential for cell function and hormone production, but when LDL (bad) cholesterol levels are too high, excess cholesterol accumulates in the blood vessel walls.

Over time, this leads to a condition called atherosclerosis, where the arteries become narrow and stiff, thus restricting blood flow. Reduced circulation increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes.

The body’s inflammatory response further exacerbates the problem as the immune system tries to repair cholesterol-laden artery walls. This can cause plaques to rupture, which can lead to blood clots that may completely block arteries.

High cholesterol also contributes to increased blood pressure by making arteries less flexible, thus forcing the heart to work harder.

Additionally, poor circulation from cholesterol buildup can affect various organs, including the brain, kidneys, and extremities, leading to severe health complications.

Serious Complications That Can Result From High Cholesterol

High cholesterol is a major risk factor for life-threatening conditions. One of the most serious complications is coronary artery disease (CAD), where cholesterol buildup in the heart’s arteries reduces blood supply, potentially leading to angina (chest pain) or a heart attack.

Similarly, carotid artery disease occurs when cholesterol blocks the arteries supplying blood to the brain, increasing the risk of stroke.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is another consequence that affects blood flow to the legs and feet, causing pain, numbness, and slow-healing wounds that may lead to infections or amputations.

High cholesterol can also contribute to high blood pressure (hypertension) by making arteries less elastic, which further strains the heart. Additionally, cholesterol deposits in the arteries of the kidneys can lead to chronic kidney disease, which impairs the body’s ability to filter waste.

Without intervention, these conditions can significantly impact a woman’s quality of life and longevity.

When To Have Your Cholesterol Checked

Cholesterol should be checked regularly, as high cholesterol has no symptoms and can silently increase the risk of heart disease.

Women should have their first cholesterol test by age 20 and at least every five years thereafter. However, women over 45 or those with risk factors—such as a family history of high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, or high blood pressure—may need more frequent testing.

After age 65, annual screenings are recommended. A simple blood test, called a lipid panel, measures total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides to assess heart health.

Preventing and Managing High Cholesterol in Women

Managing high cholesterol involves a combination of lifestyle changes, dietary improvements, and, in some cases, medications. The right approach depends on cholesterol levels, overall health, and risk factors for heart disease.

A combination of these strategies—especially diet, exercise, and stress management—can significantly improve cholesterol levels and reduce heart disease risk in women. Follow your doctor’s recommendations carefully.

Final Thoughts

Cholesterol may be invisible, but its impact on a woman’s health is undeniable. It silently shapes heart health and influences the risk of heart disease, stroke, and more. However, high cholesterol isn’t a life sentence—it’s a call to action.

With the right balance of nutrition, movement, and awareness, women can take control of their cholesterol long before it becomes a problem.

Whether through small daily choices or necessary medical interventions, every step toward heart health is a step toward a longer, fuller life.

Understanding what causes high cholesterol in women empowers you to make informed choices, protect your well-being, and rewrite your heart health story.

Partner with Herself Health to experience healthcare as it should be—focused on you!