It would be an interesting question to ask.
There is very weak association between total cholesterol and heart disease. The total number is not what matters. The best association is not even with high LDL levels. It’s with LOW HDL, and then with high triglycerides.
Guess what kind of diet tends to lower HDL and raise triglycerides.
I hear ya about the total. Technically, my total is good, but I have high triglycerides.