Some factors can cause cholesterol to rise faster than others. Knowing what these are can help you minimize sudden increases in your blood cholesterol. High cholesterol can increase your risk of certain health conditions.
Cholesterol is a waxy substance that’s similar to fat. Your body needs a certain amount of it to make cell membranes, vitamin D, and more.
Your liver naturally makes all the cholesterol you need. However, certain health conditions and behaviors can increase your blood cholesterol.
High blood cholesterol can pose a danger to your health. It increases your risk of heart disease and stroke.
According to the
Some factors may cause cholesterol to rise faster than others. These include:
Thanks to its caffeine content, coffee is often associated with rapid spikes in blood pressure. But coffee can increase your blood cholesterol levels as well.
In a small 1-week 2018 study, researchers examined the impact of daily espresso consumption in young adults. They determined that consuming an average of four espressos per day was associated with increased total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol.
The study notes that espresso-based drinks contain more diterpenes than filtered or instant coffee. To minimize the risk of high cholesterol from coffee, consider limiting drinks containing espresso.
Stress and cholesterol levels are also related.
Psychological stress may raise the risk of having high LDL and total cholesterol. This could be due to the hormone cortisol, which spikes during times of stress. High cortisol levels have a cholesterol-raising effect on the body, according to a
To reduce the risk of high cholesterol caused by stress, you can try stress management techniques such as exercise, meditation, and breathing exercises.
Smoking cigarettes is another possible cause of a spike in cholesterol levels. This is due to nicotine, the main ingredient in tobacco products such as cigarettes.
The best way to reduce the risk of smoking-induced high cholesterol is to avoid or quit cigarette smoking.
Some medications might have a cholesterol-raising effect on the body. This includes prescription drugs such as:
- antihypertensive drugs
- beta-blockers
- danazol
- retinoids
- antipsychotics
- anticonvulsants
- immunosuppressants
- antiviral drugs
- interferons
In general, these medications increase blood cholesterol levels by altering lipid metabolism. Certain medications, such as antipsychotics, might also increase cholesterol by promoting weight gain.
To prevent an increase in cholesterol due to medication, talk with a doctor. They can determine your risk and, if needed, change your medication or dosage. There may be another medication within the same class that is less likely to increase your cholesterol levels.
During pregnancy, it’s natural for blood cholesterol to increase by 30% to 40%. That’s because cholesterol is essential for healthy fetal growth and development.
According to a 2021 article, high cholesterol levels during pregnancy are related to increased levels of:
- estrogen and progesterone
- placental lactogen
- insulin resistance
However, it’s possible for cholesterol to increase too much during pregnancy. This is called gestational hypercholesterolemia or maternal hypercholesterolemia.
A doctor can help manage the condition by suggesting dietary changes and prescribing lipid lowering drugs.
Another potential cause of a temporary increase in cholesterol is rapid weight loss.
In a 2019 study, three adults quickly lost weight by following very low calorie diets. In all three cases, their LDL cholesterol temporarily spiked before dropping to normal levels. According to the researchers, this might be related to changes in metabolism.
If you’re interested in losing weight, be sure to work with a healthcare professional. They can help you lose weight safely while providing guidance for health-related side effects, such as sudden increases in cholesterol.
High blood cholesterol occurs when your cholesterol is 200 mg/dL or higher. This can be harmful to your health, as it increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Some behaviors or conditions can cause sudden increases in blood cholesterol. This includes high coffee intake, rapid weight loss, cigarette smoking, and psychological stress. Being pregnant and taking certain medications, such as antihypertensive drugs, can also quickly increase cholesterol.
The only way to know if you have high cholesterol is to get a blood test. A doctor can determine if you’re at risk of high cholesterol due to short-term or long-term causes.
