High cholesterol is typically asymptomatic and found through lipid blood tests. Over time, elevated LDL can cause atherosclerotic disease manifesting as angina/heart attack, stroke, or peripheral artery disease. Use regular screening and risk assessment to guide prevention: healthy lifestyle changes and, when needed, medications like statins reduce the risk of serious events. Seek urgent care for chest pain or stroke signs and see your clinician for persistent leg symptoms.

High cholesterol is usually silent

High cholesterol itself rarely causes symptoms. Most people learn they have high cholesterol from a blood test (a lipid panel) rather than from how they feel. Over time, untreated high levels of "bad" cholesterol (LDL) can build up in arteries and increase the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD): coronary artery disease, stroke, and peripheral artery disease.

How cholesterol-related disease can present

Coronary artery disease: angina and heart attack

When cholesterol narrows the coronary arteries, you may develop angina (chest pain) or a heart attack. Angina usually feels like pressure, squeezing, or fullness in the chest. The discomfort can radiate to the jaw, neck, shoulder, or arm and may be accompanied by shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, lightheadedness, or palpitations. If symptoms do not quickly resolve with rest, seek medical care immediately.

Stroke: FAST and other warning signs

Blocked or burst arteries in the brain produce stroke symptoms. A helpful memory aid is FAST: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty - Time to call emergency services. Other signs include sudden confusion, vision trouble in one or both eyes, severe dizziness or loss of balance, and sudden severe headache.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD): leg symptoms

When arteries to the legs are narrowed, you may notice pain or cramping in your calves when walking (claudication) that eases with rest. Other signs include numbness or coldness in the feet or lower legs, slow-healing sores or ulcers on the legs or feet, and pale or shiny skin on the legs.

Detection and prevention

Cholesterol is diagnosed with a lipid panel. Many clinicians now accept non-fasting lipid tests for routine screening, but follow your clinician's instructions. Beyond LDL and HDL levels, doctors often use overall risk calculators (ASCVD risk estimators) to decide whether lifestyle changes alone are enough or whether medications such as statins are recommended.

Lifestyle changes that reduce cholesterol and risk include a heart-healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and controlling blood pressure and diabetes. When lifestyle measures are insufficient, evidence-based medications can lower LDL and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

When to see a doctor

Get regular cholesterol checks as advised by your clinician. Seek immediate emergency care for chest pain, sudden weakness or numbness, trouble speaking, sudden vision changes, or severe sudden headache. For persistent leg pain with walking or slow-healing sores on the feet or legs, see your clinician for assessment of peripheral artery disease and vascular health.

FAQs about Symptoms Of High Cholesterol

Can high cholesterol make me feel sick right now?
No - high cholesterol itself rarely produces direct symptoms. Problems usually appear only after cholesterol has contributed to artery narrowing and caused heart, brain, or leg complications.
How is high cholesterol diagnosed?
With a lipid panel (blood test) that measures LDL, HDL, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. Many providers use non-fasting tests for routine screening and combine results with a cardiovascular risk assessment.
What are the emergency signs related to high cholesterol?
Seek immediate care for chest pressure or pain that doesn't quickly resolve, sudden weakness or numbness (especially on one side), trouble speaking, sudden vision changes, severe dizziness, or sudden severe headache.
How can I lower my cholesterol and heart disease risk?
Start with a heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, weight control, quitting smoking, and managing blood pressure and diabetes. If needed, your clinician may add medications (for example, statins) based on your overall risk.
When should I see a doctor about leg pain while walking?
If you get consistent calf or leg pain while walking that goes away with rest, or notice coldness, numbness, or slow-healing sores on your feet or legs, see your clinician to evaluate for peripheral artery disease.

News about Symptoms Of High Cholesterol

'Silent killer' symptoms could appear in the toes - how to spot - Wales Online [Visit Site | Read More]

'Slow growing' toenails could indicate 'silent killer' condition - The Mirror [Visit Site | Read More]

'Silent killer' signs could appear in 3 areas of the body - how to spot - Daily Record [Visit Site | Read More]

Worst Foods for High Cholesterol - Mass General Brigham [Visit Site | Read More]

Three parts of the body could signal 'silent killer' condition - what to look for - Surrey Live [Visit Site | Read More]

Experts reveal the truth about cholesterol – and how it impacts your health - The Independent [Visit Site | Read More]

Evinacumab-dgnb Approved For Children Aged 1-5 With Rare Form of High Cholesterol - Pharmacy Times [Visit Site | Read More]