Age and sex: As we get older,cholesterol levels rise. Before menopause, women tend to have lower total cholesterol levels than men of the same age. After menopause, however, women's LDL levels tend to rise and HDL can drop. Heredity: Your genes partly determine how much cholesterol your body makes.

Why is my cholesterol going up as I get older?

As adults become older, they may become less physically active. Whether inactivity is related to physical impairment or various medical conditions, it enables LDL cholesterol levels and triglycerides to rise, while HDL cholesterol decreases.

What is a normal cholesterol level for a 70 year old woman?

In general, healthy cholesterol levels for seniors are total cholesterol of below 200 mg/dl, including an LDL cholesterol level less than 100 mg/dl, and an HDL cholesterol level greater than 40 mg/dl for men or 50 mg/dl for women.