Is it the cheese? (1 year labs are in)

The cholesterol is one indication of possible problems. How was your triglycerides level? if good, then most likely you are fine.

next time, 2 days before lab test have fish and stay away from cheese and fatty meat (no more bacon for you missy- get away from the table).

Also, if you are concerned about the heart risk - C-reactive protein are much more informative about possibility and risk for cardio problem, not just the LDL.

What you want to do- is to increase you HDL, eat more fish, take fish oil, maybe a 1/2 glass of red dry wine once in a while? 

Add more garlic to your cooking girl.  It is better that any pills (way to hard on liver). 

And sometimes the results are wrong - so you can ask for them to be repeated.  Just make sure you really fast at least 12 hrs before the test, and do not eat really fatty foods the day before.  That stays in your blood, so the results are not always representative of your real level... 

I like cheese. Cheese is my friend.

More likely, it's the bacon!

Seriously, how much cheese are you eating? One serving of cheese a day won't give you high cholesterol.

Though I've had pretty frightening negative effects from surgery,  I had great results in bringing bad cholesterol into acceptable limits by incorporating oatmeal (original, not instant), w/ ground flax seed, cinnamon, Take Control light and a touch of splenda. I no longer require meds...which can have plenty of very nasty physical and cognitive side effects...research them carefully. Omega Fish Oil 3-6-9 I think has played a big roll as well. Its a bit more work than a pill...but so much more pleasing and healthy. Vitamin D is critical for us all...especially in when it seems I never seem to see sunlight this time of year. Don't forget D3!

If you can, find your way to a good integrative med doc....may well save you from much physical and emotional threats.

Gratefully, plenty of health conscious cheesemakers in Wisconsin who know how to make good low fat products. Gotta have my cheese.

As for your cholesterol, I wouldn't freak. 

Here's an example of why it's hugely genetic...my mom has always had VERY high bad cholesterol readings (with GOOD triglyceride readings and BAD good cholesterol readings) and she is a cheese ADDICT...I mean ADDICT!  At 69 she had a stress test done and "failed" so they told her she needed an angiogram asap because her arteries were probably blocked.  Surprise surprise, they were CLEAR...nothing, nada, zip.  Cardiologist told her that heart disease wouldn't be an issue for her.  She was told to exercise more.

Now there's my dad.  Always picture perfect labs...never an issue with cholesterol.  This summer at age 75 he is hospitalized for pneumonina and they decided to do some tests (the angiogram included).  What do they find???  3 partial blockages and 1 small full blockage.  Now he has 3 heart stents, is on 5 or 6 different meds and has to see the cardiologist every 2 months.  They put him in a 2 year study because of this. 

Goes to show ya...science and medicine isn't as exact as everyone thinks and genetics has a lot to say in the whole shebang!