Cholesterol is a type of fat that your body needs to build cells. However, if there is too much cholesterol in your blood, it can cause plaque formation in your arteries, leading to heart disease.

High cholesterol is one of the most significant risk factors for heart disease. Your cholesterol levels are influenced by many factors, including genetics. This article will explore the role of genetics in high cholesterol and how it can be managed.

What is High Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is transported through the blood in the form of lipoproteins. There are two types of lipoproteins – low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL).

LDL is often referred to as “bad cholesterol” because it can clog arteries, while HDL is called “good cholesterol” because it can remove cholesterol from your bloodstream.

High cholesterol occurs when there is too much LDL in your blood. Your doctor will measure your cholesterol levels by checking your total cholesterol, LDL, and HDL levels.

A desirable cholesterol level is less than 200 mg/dL, while a level between 200-239 mg/dL is borderline high, and 240 mg/dL and above is considered high.

What Causes High Cholesterol?

High cholesterol can be caused by a variety of factors, including lifestyle choices, such as a diet high in saturated and trans fats, lack of exercise, smoking, and obesity. Age, gender, and ethnicity can also influence cholesterol levels.

However, genetics plays a crucial role in determining your cholesterol levels.

Genetics and Cholesterol

Most of the cholesterol is produced in the liver, and genes regulate this process. The proteins coded by these genes can affect the production, transportation, and breakdown of cholesterol.

Genetic mutations in these genes can lead to high cholesterol levels.

One genetic disorder that affects cholesterol metabolism is familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). It is an inherited disorder that affects about one in 500 individuals and is caused by mutations in the LDL receptor (LDLR) gene.

This mutation prevents the LDLR protein from functioning correctly, leading to the buildup of LDL in the blood and, eventually, heart disease.

Another genetic mutation that can cause high cholesterol is in the apolipoprotein B (APOB) gene, which regulates the binding of LDL to its receptor.

Mutations in the APOB gene can result in more LDL binding, leading to an increased risk of heart disease.

How to Manage High Cholesterol?

If you have high cholesterol, your doctor will recommend lifestyle changes and medications to lower your cholesterol levels and reduce your risk of heart disease. Lifestyle changes include a heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, and quitting smoking.

Your doctor may also prescribe medication to lower your cholesterol levels, such as statins, bile acid sequestrants, or PCSK9 inhibitors.

If your high cholesterol is due to genetics, your doctor may recommend DNA testing to identify the specific genes causing the problem. This testing may help to identify the best course of treatment for you.

The Bottom Line

Your genetics can influence your cholesterol levels, and identifying genetic mutations can help in managing high cholesterol levels.

However, lifestyle changes such as a heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, and quitting smoking are critical in reducing your risk of heart disease due to high cholesterol.