(HealthDay News) -- Risk factors for high cholesterol include things you can't control, such as age, gender and family history. But lifestyle choices -- factors you can control -- are a big part of the equation, too.

The Cleveland Clinic says controllable risk factors for high cholesterol include:

• Whether your diet is high in saturated fat and cholesterol.
• Whether you're overweight/obese.
• Whether you're getting enough regular exercise.
• Whether you have emotional stress and turn to unhealthy habits to help manage that stress.