What makes stress cause an increase in cholesterol in the bloodstream?

Stress & Lipids: Stress may change the way our bodies metabolize fats (lipids). One idea is that stress might interfere with the body's ability to rid itself of excess cholesterol. It may also trigger inflammatory processes which increase cholesterol production as well. Stress could also induce the body to produce more energy in the form of glucose and fatty acids -- so the liver produces & secretes more ldl.