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. Control your high cholesterol by diet and exercise.