Symptoms of High Cholesterol
Most people with high cholesterol don't experience
any obvious symptoms. In fact, the first signs
of an underlying problem might be chest pain,
heart attack or stroke. That's why it's important
to know your cholesterol levels, including a
risk assessment and a blood workup.
You may have visible symptoms if you have extremely
high cholesterol levels, either because of very
high triglycerides or
familial hypercholesterolemia.
One common symptom of extremely high cholesterol
is xanthomas,
tiny cholesterol-filled bumps that may appear
on the elbows, knees, and buttocks. Xanthomas
are commonly mistaken for pimples or warts.
Extremely high cholesterol can also cause arcus
cornea, a buildup of cholesterol that makes
the cornea appear to have a yellow or white
halo. However, arcus
cornea may occur in elderly people, and
not necessarily as a symptom of hypercholesterolemia.
Reviewed by: Joyce Ross, MSN, CRNP
Last updated: November 2005
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