Hi Audrey,   Your risk for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease is affected by your family history.  If your parents struggle with heart disease, you are more likely to develop it yourself.  That doesn't mean you have, too.  If you have a strong family history for high cholesterol, that's all the more reason to take preventive measures.  You can learn more about risk factors here.   Alcohol plays a role in raising HDL levels.   HDL is the "good" cholesterol and typically when HDL increases, LDL decreases, resulting in decreased total cholesterol.    I'm not a big advocate of using alcohol to raise HDL, but if you already consume alcohol, 1 drink per day may raise levels.  More than 1-2 drinks per day will increase your health problems.  If you do not drink, do not start.   Click here to read a little more about wine and heart disease.   All the best,   Lisa Nelson, RD, LN The Heart of Health - Heart Health and Weight Loss Tips