Definition of High blood cholesterol and triglycerides:

The medical term for high blood cholesterol and triglycerides is lipid disorder. Such a disorder occurs when you have too many fatty substances in your blood. These substances include cholesterol and triglycerides.

A lipid disorder increases your risk for atherosclerosis and heart disease.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

High cholesterol and other lipid disorders can be inherited (passed down through families) or associated with:

• Fatty diets
• Disease such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, Cushing syndrome, and kidney failure
• Certain medications, including birth control pills, estrogen, corticosteroids, certain diuretics, and beta-blockers
• Lifestyle factors, including inactivity and regular, excessive alcohol use

If you smoke and also have high cholesterol you have an even greater risk for heart disease.

Lipid disorders are more common in men than women.