what are the symptoms of high cholesterol?

Answer 1

High cholesterol does not make you feel sick. It is usually found during a routine cholesterol and triglycerides test, a blood test that measures cholesterol levels. You may first discover it when you are diagnosed with a condition that is caused in part by high cholesterol, such as coronary artery disease (CAD), stroke, peripheral arterial disease, or inflammation of the pancreas.

Some people with lipid disorders, such as familial hypercholesterolemia, may have other distinct symptoms such as deposits of excess cholesterol that collect in the skin. These cholesterol deposits can also cause bumps in tendons in the hands or feet.

Answer 2

High cholesterol can be seen in some by looking into their eyes where surrounding the iris appears to be a white line. Also you will have a raised blood pressure and you may even have a raised pulse 60-100 beats per min is normal. You may have intermittant claudication which is painful legs when walking stopping at rest. You may have the symptom of angina (a symptom of high cholesterol and not a disease) this would be that you would suffer chest pain upon effort such as exercise etc or even stress. This is relieved by rest or a GTN spray and doesnt last any longer than a few minutes. Any longer and you would seak medical attention immediately.There may be cyanosis, which is a blue tinge to the lips if severe. You may even suffer from abdominal pain. Sometimes your stools (faeces) may look fatty, oily pale. You may have tingling in your fingers, toes. Headaches due to an interupted blood flow to the brain due to the furring of arteries supplying the brain. If you have any of above symptoms seek medical advise and attention. Atherosclerosis is what high cholesterol causes, which is fatty streaks and plaques which clog the vessel walls making it harder for blood to get around the system. So this can affect your lungs, heart and could make you at further risk of developing diabetes type 2. Get a simple cholesterol from the pharmacy or from your doctor to rule out high cholesterol as this is the most accurate way of determining whether you have it or not. You can reduce your cholesterol by cutting down on alcohol, stop smoking (makes blood sticky and toxic) drinking plenty water (simply it waters down your blood), reducing saturated fats and increasing unsaturated fats. Eating wholewheat bread past etc. 5 portions fruit & veg per day. Taking on exercise within your capabilities.

Answer 3

There are not any symptoms. It can only be verified by blood test.

There is something to be said for the iris ring which one of the other answeres mentioned (in medical terms that would be a 'sign' not a 'symptom') but DO NOT take that as definitive one way or the other.

Blood tests are either free at your surgery or cheap at a private clinic. If your LDL cholesterol is high then you can be given dietry advice or take controlling medication (tablets). So, there's no shame or discrace in high cholesterol - it can even happen to skinny people and treatment is easy and cheap (even if you have to pay for prescriptions). Much better than having a heart attack.

If you're worried, or even if you're not. See your GP or practice nurse for a blood test.

Answer 4

You can have high cholesterol and be completely unaware of it. That's why it is important to know what your reading it. 4 and under is good.

By the time you get symptoms you will have left it go too far. High cholesterol can put you at risk of a number of diseases particularly heart attack or stroke. Exercise weight loss for the overweight and diet can lower your cholesterol.

Answer 5

High cholesterol is technically not an ailment but a condition or rather an indicator that your body has too much fat in the blood. Definitely can be lowered with a healthy diet focusing on low fat, low cholesterol food (no red meat), high fiber and regular exercise. Before your doctor put you on any anti-cholesterol medication, try to cleanse your body with natural remedy like almond, oatmeal in which the soluble fiber does a great job to remove the cholesterol to your stool and out of your body. For a list of top natural remedy for high cholesterol, check out http://www.cureshare.com/view_condition.php?cond_id=22

Answer 6

Symptoms of high cholesterol usually are rare. High cholesterol levels are generally identified from a blood test. The symptoms seen are actually from the end-result of high cholesterol for health issues such as coronary disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.

see this site for more information:
http://www.loweringcholesterol.net/show/symptoms-high-cholesterol

Cholesterol is a body fat, or lipid. It is an important part of a healthy body, being a building block for steroids such as the sex hormones, and the hormones of the adrenal cortex. It is also the basis of the body’s manufacture of bile salts.

also this site
http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleID=100

Answer 7

My cholesterol is controlled by medication. I had no symptoms and didnt know until I had it checked. A simple blood test will determine. If your worried about it and wont go to the Doc`s, you can buy up to 10mg Statin tablets at any chemist in the UK. I believe the blood test also checks your liver condition which is essential really before taking medication.

Answer 8

I didnt have any symptoms it was found on a routine check for something else. If high cholesterol runs in your family I'd go have a check.

Answer 9

Someone told me a white circle can appear around the Iris if a persons cholesterol is high.

Answer 10

Firstly check your blood pressure. If it's high, it could be a sign of high cholesterol. The cholesterol causes obstruction to the flow of blood and the pressure gets greater to supply the volume of blood needed to feed oxygen to the muscles.

Then get prepared to change your diet. Oily little fishes, chicken, lots of salads.........look back with self envy to the non-salad days of full english breakfasts, mixed grills and Irish stew. (sigh)