Cholestrol

I have an identical twin sister that weights 20 pounds more 130 lbs and eats nothing but fast food.  Her cholestrol is 169.  I eat healthy and weight 110 lbs and my cholestrol is 243.  I got a pacemaker.  Any reason why?  

[Jordanna Joaquina, MS, CGC]

Most cases of high cholesterol are not caused by a single inherited condition, but result from a combination of lifestyle choices and the effects of variations in multiple genes. Lifestyle choices including diet, exercise, and tobacco smoking strongly influence the amount of cholesterol in the blood. Additional factors that impact cholesterol levels include a person's gender, age, and health problems such as diabetes and obesity.

We recommend that you speak with your physician regarding your cholesterol levels and appropriate treatment options. You may also benefit from meeting with a medical geneticist. You can find a medical geneticist at the American College of Medical Genetics website.