Everything You Need to Know About Symptoms of High Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in your blood that plays a crucial role in various bodily functions, including producing hormones and vitamin D. However, high levels of cholesterol, particularly low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or "bad" cholesterol, can increase your risk of developing heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems. The surprising fact is that high cholesterol often doesn't cause any noticeable symptoms until it's too late. Understanding the potential signs and symptoms of high cholesterol can help you take proactive steps to manage your cholesterol levels and reduce your risk of serious health complications.

What is High Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a type of lipid (fat) that is produced naturally by the liver and also obtained from the foods we eat. There are two main types of cholesterol:

1. Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol: Often referred to as "bad" cholesterol, LDL cholesterol can build up in the walls of your arteries, causing them to narrow and increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
2. High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Cholesterol: Known as "good" cholesterol, HDL helps remove LDL cholesterol from your arteries and transport it to the liver for elimination.

High cholesterol is typically defined as having an LDL cholesterol level above 160 mg/dL (4.1 mmol/L) or a total cholesterol level above 200 mg/dL (5.2 mmol/L).

Signs and Symptoms of High Cholesterol

Unfortunately, high cholesterol doesn't usually cause any noticeable symptoms until it has already caused significant damage to your arteries or led to a serious health event. However, there are some potential signs and symptoms that you should be aware of:

1. Chest Pain or Angina: As cholesterol builds up in the arteries, it can restrict blood flow to the heart muscle, causing chest pain or discomfort known as angina. This pain may occur during physical activity or emotional stress.
2. Shortness of Breath: If the arteries supplying blood to the lungs become narrowed due to cholesterol buildup, you may experience shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, especially during physical exertion.
3. Fatigue: High cholesterol can reduce blood flow and oxygen supply to various organs and muscles, leading to feelings of fatigue or weakness.
4. Numbness or Tingling in Extremities: Reduced blood flow due to cholesterol buildup in the arteries can cause numbness or tingling in the arms, legs, or other extremities.
5. Stroke Symptoms: In severe cases, cholesterol buildup can lead to a stroke, which may cause symptoms such as sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arms, or legs, confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech, and vision problems.

It's important to note that these signs and symptoms are not specific to high cholesterol and can also be associated with other health conditions. Many people with high cholesterol may not experience any noticeable symptoms at all.

Risk Factors for High Cholesterol

Several factors can contribute to the development of high cholesterol levels, including:

1. Unhealthy Diet: A diet high in saturated and trans fats, as well as cholesterol-rich foods, can increase LDL cholesterol levels.
2. Obesity: Being overweight or obese can lead to high cholesterol levels, as excess body fat is associated with lower HDL cholesterol and higher LDL cholesterol.
3. Lack of Physical Activity: Regular physical activity helps to increase HDL cholesterol levels and lower LDL cholesterol levels.
4. Smoking: Smoking can lower HDL cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
5. Age: As you get older, your cholesterol levels tend to rise, particularly in women after menopause.
6. Family History: Your genetic makeup can influence your cholesterol levels, and having a family history of high cholesterol or heart disease can increase your risk.
7. Certain Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, and kidney disease, can contribute to high cholesterol levels.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Since high cholesterol often doesn't cause noticeable symptoms, regular cholesterol screening is essential for early detection and management. Your healthcare provider may recommend a lipid panel blood test to measure your total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.

If your cholesterol levels are found to be high, your healthcare provider may recommend lifestyle changes and/or medication to help manage your cholesterol levels and reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke.

Lifestyle Changes

• Adopt a heart-healthy diet: Focus on foods low in saturated and trans fats, and high in fiber, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats like olive oil and nuts.
• Increase Physical Activity: Regular exercise can help raise HDL cholesterol levels and lower LDL cholesterol levels.
• Maintain a Healthy Weight: Losing excess weight can improve cholesterol levels and overall cardiovascular health.
• Quit Smoking: Smoking can significantly increase your risk of heart disease and stroke, in addition to lowering HDL cholesterol levels.
• Manage Stress: High stress levels can contribute to unhealthy lifestyle choices and potentially affect cholesterol levels.

Medications

If lifestyle changes alone are not enough to lower your cholesterol levels, your healthcare provider may prescribe cholesterol-lowering medications, such as:

• Statins: These medications work by blocking an enzyme in the liver that produces cholesterol, effectively lowering LDL cholesterol levels.
• Bile Acid Sequestrants: These medications bind to bile acids in the digestive system, preventing them from being reabsorbed into the bloodstream, which can lower LDL cholesterol levels.
• Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors: These medications work by reducing the absorption of cholesterol from the intestines, lowering LDL cholesterol levels.
• Fibrates: These medications can help lower triglyceride levels and, in some cases, raise HDL cholesterol levels.

It's important to follow your healthcare provider's recommendations and take any prescribed medications as directed to effectively manage your cholesterol levels and reduce your risk of heart disease and other complications.

Conclusion

High cholesterol often doesn't cause any noticeable symptoms until it has already caused significant damage to your arteries or led to a serious health event like a heart attack or stroke. Regular cholesterol screening and adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight, are crucial for managing cholesterol levels and reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease. If lifestyle changes alone are not enough, your healthcare provider may recommend cholesterol-lowering medications to help manage your cholesterol levels and protect your overall health.

Remember, prevention is key when it comes to high cholesterol. By taking proactive steps to manage your cholesterol levels, you can reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, and other health complications associated with high cholesterol.

This article is written by Dr. Ankur Gupta (Consultant- Cardiology), Paras Health, Panchkula.