If it were, treatment with anti-cholesterol drugs such as statins (the most used) or even a new class of drugs called PCSK9 inhibitors wouldn't have such a clear cause-and-effect on reducing cardiovascular events and mortality.
Since removing cholesterol from circulation reduces cardiovascular disease, you can view it as a cause and not as a mere marker of disease.
If it were, treatment with anti-cholesterol drugs such as statins (the most used) or even a new class of drugs called PCSK9 inhibitors wouldn't have such a clear cause-and-effect on reducing cardiovascular events and mortality.
Since removing cholesterol from circulation reduces cardiovascular disease, you can view it as a cause and not as a mere marker of disease.