MANY people worry about their cholesterol levels, especially when it comes to maintaining a healthy heart.
They often wonder if lifestyle or genetic inheritance is the biggest culprit behind elevated levels.
Is it true that genetics is the primary factor in determining one’s cholesterol risk?
Verdict:
FALSE
While your genes certainly do play a part in shaping your predisposition to high cholesterol, they are not the sole or absolute determinant of risk.
Medical research reveals that lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise and weight management can either heighten or mitigate the impact of inherited tendencies.
Individuals with certain genetic variants may be more prone to elevated cholesterol levels, yet avoiding saturated and trans fats, staying active, and maintaining a healthy body mass index can lead to significant improvements.
Conversely, those with no notable family history can still develop high cholesterol if their eating habits and daily routines lean towards the sedentary side.
Saying that, there is still a nuanced interplay of genes and environment when it comes to determining your cholesterol risks.
For instance, a person might carry a mutation linked to familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), a hereditary condition that drives high LDL ("bad") cholesterol.
However, even in such cases, making concerted changes – like increasing fibre intake from fruits, vegetables and whole grains – has been shown to curb the disease’s progression.
As a side note, familial hypercholesterolemia is pretty rare, with the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stating that only one in 311 people worldwide has FH.
Exercise also deserves special mention, as moderate physical activity performed consistently helps raise HDL (“good”) cholesterol, counterbalancing excess LDL.
These measures become particularly crucial for individuals who know they have a genetic predisposition.
Blood tests to check lipid profiles are key to understanding individual risk.
Doctors often recommend routine screenings for those over the age of 20, repeated every few years, to monitor trends.
If a family history raises suspicion of genetically driven cholesterol problems, more frequent tests or specialised genetic screening might be advised.
Ultimately, personal responsibility for a healthier lifestyle can offset many genetic vulnerabilities, underscoring that while genes provide the blueprint, daily habits finish the design.
References:
1. https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/risk-factors/index.html
2. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/is-high-cholesterol-genetic
