Warning Signs Of High Cholesterol
Warning Signs Of High Cholesterol
The disease known as high cholesterol can have detrimental effects on the health of your heart. It is often caused by unhealthy lifestyle choices such as a high-fat diet, excessive drinking and smoking, and a lack of exercise.
Heart disease, stroke, and coronary artery disease can all be caused by high blood cholesterol. High cholesterol is sometimes referred to be a silent killer since it does not cause any symptoms. A blood test is required to identify elevated cholesterol levels in the body.
How can you tell if your cholesterol is elevated? A blood test that looks at your lipid levels is the only way to determine whether you have high cholesterol because it does not cause any symptoms. Do not hesitate to call your doctor if you believe your cholesterol readings are higher than they should be.
High cholesterol can cause plaque to accumulate, which increases your chance of developing far more serious conditions including peripheral arterial disease, coronary artery disease (CAD), stroke, and cardiovascular disease. Do not freak out, even if it may seem terrifying. You can lower your cholesterol with medicine and/or lifestyle modifications with your doctor’s assistance.
What is cholesterol?
A waxy, fat-like material, cholesterol is essential for the body’s production of cell membranes, certain hormones, and vitamin D. For cholesterol to go through your bloodstream, lipoproteins must assist it since it is fat soluble, which means it does not dissolve in water. LDL and HDL cholesterol are the two main types of lipoprotein.
Your body uses cholesterol, a family of lipids, for several essential purposes. Lipids remain together in your blood because they do not decompose in water. Instead, they go via your bloodstream to the many parts of your body that need them.
Your liver produces the quantity of cholesterol your body needs. But your diet might also increase your intake of cholesterol. Your body has a way to get rid of excess cholesterol. However, sometimes that system is overloaded or operates poorly. As a result, your blood contains too much cholesterol. And then is when things may go wrong for you.
LDL cholesterol
What, therefore, leads to elevated cholesterol? The condition known as high cholesterol is caused by elevated levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDL), also known as “bad cholesterol.” Fatty deposits may start to form in your blood vessels when your LDL cholesterol level is excessive, leading to a number of health problems. This is due to the fact that an increase in plaque reduces blood flow to all parts of your body, especially the heart and brain.
HDL cholesterol
Cholesterol is not always harmful. HDL, sometimes referred to as “good cholesterol,” aids in the absorption of LDL cholesterol and returns it to the liver for elimination. You can reduce your risk of CAD, blood clots, cardiovascular disease, and stroke by having high levels of HDL cholesterol.
Triglycerides
The lipid that your body uses as a stored energy source is called triglycerides, which are distinct from cholesterol. Triglycerides, which are subsequently deposited in your fat cells, are produced by your body when you eat more than you require.
Triglyceride levels can rise and the risk of heart disease and stroke increases if you do not use the storage and frequently consume more than you use. Like cholesterol, your doctor can check your levels with a blood test to make sure they are within a healthy range.
Warning Signs to Look Out For When Walking
Body fat or excess weight is frequently recognized as a sign of elevated cholesterol. On the other hand, certain warning indicators could show up in other areas of your body, including your legs. Some of the arteries that may be affected may send blood to the legs. PAD, or peripheral arterial disease, is the obstruction of arteries. Therefore, it is recommended that these elevated cholesterol symptoms not be disregarded and that a doctor be consulted if they continue:
Pain in the legs:
Leg discomfort is one of the most common symptoms of PAD. Blockages in the arteries in your legs prevent the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your lower body. As a result, your leg may feel tired and heavy. The most prevalent symptom among those with elevated cholesterol is burning pain in the lower limbs. Any part of the legs, from the calf to the thigh or buttock, may be uncomfortable. Physical exertion such as walking, running, and climbing stairs is the most frequent cause. This discomfort usually goes away when you rest, but it may come back when you start moving your legs.
Legs and feet that are cold:
If you have high cholesterol, you may have cold feet or legs all year long, even during the heat. While this may indicate that you have PAD, it does not necessarily mean that you have PAD alone. That being said, if one foot or leg feels chilly but the other does not, it could be time to visit your physician.
Muscle Atrophy in the Calf:
Calf muscle atrophy or a size reduction may be observed in people with advanced PAD. A high cholesterol level might result in insufficient blood flow, which can decrease the size and amount of muscle fibers. The limbs’ deprivation of oxygen and nutrient-rich blood causes muscle atrophy.
Doctors report that people with severe PAD may lose over half of the muscle fibers in the afflicted region and that the remaining muscle fibers frequently atrophy or reduce in size.
Change in the Color of the Skin:
A reduction in blood flow caused by high cholesterol can also affect the color of your skin. Because the blood’s flow, which transports nutrients and oxygen, has decreased, the cells are not getting the proper nourishment. For instance, lifting the legs can make the skin look lighter while dangling them might make them appear bluish or purple.
Ulcers on the feet:
Open wounds or sores that have not healed are called foot ulcers. These ulcers could keep getting worse if they are not treated. This illness is most commonly caused by poor circulation. An ulcer that does not heal or heals slowly might indicate that too much cholesterol is limiting the blood flow to your leg. People with PDA will have trouble moving rapidly or far because of their tired, aching legs. If leg ulcers are treated promptly, they can heal without further complications.
Cramps during the night:
Severe leg cramps as you sleep are another common indicator that high cholesterol is damaging the arteries in your lower limbs. When you are sleeping at night, the problem gets worse. People with PAD may have cramps or spasms as they sleep, usually in the toes, forefoot, or heel. Sitting or hanging the foot off the bed can help relieve discomfort since gravity helps the blood flow to the feet.
Until it becomes an emergency, high cholesterol usually shows no signs. A blood test is the only way to determine whether you have a high level of LDL cholesterol. Ignoring cholesterol can cause plaque to accumulate over time, harming the heart and increasing your risk of a heart attack or stroke. Watch for the following signs of a heart attack or early stroke:
- Nausea and numbness
- Slurred words
- A great deal of exhaustion
- Angina or Chest Pain
- breathing difficulties
- Extremity coldness or numbness
- Having high blood pressure
Call the closest 24-hour emergency room right away if you have any concerns about the symptoms you are experiencing. To be sure there is not something serious going on, they might do tests and review your blood work.
Without a blood test, how can you determine whether you have high cholesterol?
As stated before, you are unaware that you have high cholesterol until you are experiencing an emergency or receive the results of a blood test. Lipid testing should start when you are 9 to 11 years old and be repeated every 5 years until you are 45 or 55 years old, depending on your gender.
During the period between the ages of 45 and 65 for males and 55 and 64 for women, the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) advises repeating blood tests every one to two years. It is recommended that anyone over 65 have annual cholesterol testing.
Additionally, the frequency of testing will be determined by your doctor and will be influenced by your risk factors or family history.
High Cholesterol Risk Factors
Regardless of your age, gender, or race, you may be at risk for high cholesterol if you:
- Eat a bad diet.
- Are you overweight or obese and do not get enough exercise or movement?
- possess a family history of hypercholesterolemia or high cholesterol
- Products that involve smoking tobacco
- Have a renal illness or diabetes
How cholesterol may be reduced
The best method to lower high cholesterol is to lead a healthy lifestyle and, if necessary, use medication. To determine the best course of action for you, speak with your physician.
You may lower your cholesterol by implementing the following changes:
- Do not use tobacco or alcohol.
- Consume a diet high in fiber and low in saturated fats.
- Reduce your intake of processed meals, high-fat dairy items, fatty red meats, and egg yolks.
- Exercise and food
- Ensure that you maintain a healthy weight.
24-hour emergency services in Colorado Springs and Texas
How can one determine whether they have high cholesterol? Once more, your doctor must perform blood testing to determine whether you have high cholesterol. Do not hesitate to get emergency care at Complete Care if you think you may have excessive cholesterol or if you detect signs of anything more serious, such as a heart attack or stroke.
With emergency rooms in Colorado Springs and other parts of Texas, Complete Care is a freestanding emergency care facility open around the clock. We prioritize our patients and strive to address your emergency in a matter of minutes rather than hours.
Conclusion
Since excessive cholesterol is a silent killer, you must regulate it. Make dietary and lifestyle adjustments to lower your blood levels of low-density lipoprotein or bad cholesterol if you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol. Below 70 milligrams per deciliter is the typical range for low-density lipoprotein values. It is recommended that you get a specific heart health insurance plan if you have high cholesterol to safeguard your funds if you experience any cardiac conditions. If you have had heart surgery in the past or now have heart issues, Care Heart by Care Health Insurance will cover you.
Regular exercise, a diet rich in healthy fats and low in saturated fat, quitting smoking, and abstaining from alcohol can all lower your risk of high cholesterol.
As you modify your lifestyle, pay close attention to the instructions on any medications you are already taking.
FAQs
How does your body feel when your cholesterol is high?
High cholesterol often does not cause any symptoms. It can, however, result in heart attack and stroke if treatment is not received. Because of its tendency to be a concealed risk factor, we may not be aware of it until it is too late. Because of this, it is crucial to get your cholesterol level examined.
What are the 5 signs of high cholesterol?
Chest discomfort: Particularly while engaging in strenuous exercise, high cholesterol might result in chest pain. Reduced blood supply to the heart is the cause of this condition, which is known as angina.
Breathlessness: Breathlessness can be caused by high cholesterol, particularly when exercising.
Fatigue: Having too much cholesterol might make you feel weak and lethargic.
Severe leg cramps when sleeping, particularly in the heel, forefoot, or toes, can be caused by high cholesterol.
Unexpected loss of balance: Elevated cholesterol levels might result in an unexpected loss of coordination and balance.
A drooping mouth or eyelid on one side of the face is an example of facial asymmetry caused by high cholesterol.
Confusion: Having a high cholesterol level might lead to confusion.
What are the facial signs of high cholesterol?
Xanthelasmas are painless, soft-to-firm, yellowish patches or lumps on the eyelids that are symptoms of facial cholesterol accumulation. These patches usually have a waxy look and might form around the eyes.
What are the silent signs of high cholesterol?
When people have excessive cholesterol, their most common complaint is burning pain in their lower limbs. From the calf to the thigh or buttock, one may feel pain in the legs or any part of the legs. The most frequent cause is physical exertion, such as walking, running, and climbing stairs.
What symptoms indicate elevated cholesterol levels in the hands?
Pain in the fingers and toes may potentially be a sign of high cholesterol. An accumulation of cholesterol in the blood vessels of the hands and legs can cause pain when touched. Tingling in the fingers and toes is another common symptom of high cholesterol.
References:
- Care Health Insurance. (2025, February 2). High Cholesterol Warning Signs That Shouldn’t Be Ignored. https://www.careinsurance.com/blog/health-insurance-articles/high-cholesterol-warning-signs
- Care, C. (2021, September 17). How do You Know if You Have High Cholesterol. Complete Care. https://www.visitcompletecare.com/blog/how-do-you-know-if-you-have-high-cholesterol/
