Causes of high cholesterol vary depends on the lifestyle, gender or the heritage of the individual. Each one of us can do certain things to live healthier, longer lives. One of those choices includes maintaining cholesterol at the right level. However, the truth is even young, thin, physically fit people can have high levels of cholesterol, although chances of higher levels increase due to certain factors. The truth is that family genes play a big role in many aspects of a person's health to include the amount of cholesterol you might have to deal with. If you have a parent that has had to battle with high levels of cholesterol, your chances of following in their footsteps is high. More than 50% of all adults have levels of cholesterol that are too high. If you think about that, what that means is that the potential for having a heart attack and/or stroke is just teetering on the edge for millions of people. There are ways that you can help in reducing cholesterol Levels. There is hope in that for every 1% you lower bad cholesterol, your chance of having a heart attack and/or stroke is reduced by 2%. Not a bad ratio!