Cholesterol is essentially a waxy substance produced by your body and plays an important role in many bodily functions including cell building, body metabolism, and more.
On the contrary, high cholesterol is an elevated level of cholesterol in the blood. When there is too much cholesterol circulating in the blood, it can lead to a variety of health problems
High cholesterol in women can pose serious health risks, just like it does in men. Women, especially after menopause, are at risk for high cholesterol due to hormonal changes. During a woman’s reproductive years, her cholesterol levels tend to be lower than after menopause. At this time, symptoms of high cholesterol in women can be clearly seen, possibly due to changes in estrogen levels.
High cholesterol may sound like something only older people worry about, but the truth is it’s a growing problem for all age groups. Millions of people are walking around with high cholesterol levels, and often they don’t know it. That’s because high cholesterol often has no symptoms until it causes something serious, like a heart attack or stroke.
High cholesterol is also called the “silent killer” for a reason: it often doesn’t show obvious symptoms. However, your body still gives off some subtle signs, and women may notice them differently or just ignore them.
7 Signs of high cholesterol that women shouldn’t ignore
1. Yellow bumps around the eyes (Xanthelasma)
Have you noticed small, soft, yellow bumps on your eyelids? That’s xanthelasma, cholesterol deposits under the skin. They may not seem like a big deal, but they could mean your cholesterol is high and your heart may be at risk. Many women think it’s just a cosmetic issue, but it’s worth checking out.
2. Unexplained Fatigue
Feeling exhausted even after a good night’s sleep. This could be because high cholesterol clogs your arteries, slowing down blood flow and oxygen, leaving you exhausted. Since women often have to juggle tons of work, it’s easy to blame fatigue on stress or a busy schedule, but don’t ignore it.
3. Chest Pain or Tightness
A dull ache or tightness in your chest when you’re active may be more than just stress. Narrowed arteries due to cholesterol buildup can cause your heart to lack blood. Women often feel this pain differently than the typical “suffocating” chest pain that men report, so it may be overlooked.
4. Shortness of breath
You may feel short of breath when climbing stairs or doing light work, which could mean your heart is struggling due to narrowed arteries. Women often think it’s just anxiety or lack of fitness, but it could be a warning sign.
5. Cold or numb hands and feet
If your hands or feet feel cold or numb even in warm weather, it could be due to poor circulation due to cholesterol buildup. Many women consider this normal, but you should get it checked.
6. Unusual skin changes
In addition to lumps around the eyes, yellow patches on the elbows, knees, or hands can also mean high cholesterol. These are often mistaken for other skin problems.
7. Jaw, neck, or upper back pain
Pain in these spots, especially when accompanied by chest discomfort, can be related to heart disease. Because these pains can resemble muscle aches or digestive problems, women may ignore them or think they are nothing serious.
