The body makes cholesterol by itself apart from the dietary cholesterol that you ingest. A history of hypercholesterolemia in your family puts you at risk for heart disease later in life. It is recommended to reduce your total cholesterol below 200 and a level of 240 although acceptable is not ideal... You are at the borderline and the two important ratios must be considered: total cholesterol/ HDL and HDL/LDL ... HDL (good cholesterol) high density lipoprotein and is successful in binding LDL (bad cholesterol), low density lipoprotein. See: http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=14631 and see: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cholesterol-ratio/AN01761 You are probably a good candidate for medication at this point and should consult a specialist (a cardiologist) since dietary methods have failed. Some cholesterol drugs such as lipitor and mevacor sequester cholesterol from the food you eat, but these will may not help you. Other drugs referred to as statins inhibit your body s ability to make cholesterol by inhibiting a liver enzyme called HMG Co-A reductase, thus reducing the liver s ability to make cholesterol. This may be more appropriate for you. In any case, all medications have side effects and should be monitored by blood testing and consultation with your physician.