High cholesterol is a condition that occurs when the cholesterol levels in your blood become high enough to cause health problems, including heart disease and stroke. Sometimes called hyperlipidemia, high cholesterol is painless and doesn’t cause any symptoms until a person has serious heart disease.
Produced by the liver, cholesterol is a thick fat found in every cell of the body and is considered essential for many life-sustaining functions. It helps your body make hormones and vitamin D, and it is also found in compounds your body makes to help you digest food, such as bile.
Circulating in the blood as small bundles of fat and protein called lipoproteins, cholesterol comes in two main types: low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which contributes to the buildup of fatty plaques, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), which is thought to protect against heart disease and stroke
Symptoms of high cholesterol
Usually, high cholesterol doesn’t cause any symptoms until it causes a medical emergency, such as a heart attack or stroke. These heart-related events don’t occur until high cholesterol levels lead to a buildup of fatty plaques in the arteries. This, in turn, leads to narrowing of the arteries and changes in the composition of the artery lining, also known as heart disease.
What are your body’s warning signs of high cholesterol?
Here are 6 warning signs you should be aware of:
1. Heart Attack
As you probably know, cholesterol problems lead to heart problems. If you want to address this problem and avoid it becoming a nightmare, you should see a cardiologist. They can help you figure out what problems your heart is having so you can make the right choices.
If you are serious about improving your lifestyle, see a doctor. If you have any symptoms of a heart attack (pain in the arm, shortness of breath, dizziness, etc.) then you should see a doctor as soon as possible. High cholesterol levels increase your risk of heart attack, so keep that in mind.
2. High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is also a sign to watch out for. You should see a doctor as soon as possible. This will help you avoid problems that can cause your blood pressure to rise further. T
If you are someone who is dealing with multiple blood pressure problems, then you should see a doctor. This is the only way to measure your blood pressure and find out what needs to be done.
3. Diabetes
Diabetes is another common sign that you may have high cholesterol. Diabetes can have a big impact on your cholesterol levels, as you tend to have cholesterol particles stuck around your arteries, meaning that your blood vessels can be damaged unnecessarily.
So, you should try to change your diet and lifestyle to accommodate any diabetes issues you may have. If you are someone who is concerned about diabetes, then you should definitely see a doctor. Fatigue and feeling constantly unfocused are just two side effects to watch out for.
4. Chest pain or angina
Do you have a lot of chest pain? Don’t just think of it as heartburn. Try some heartburn remedies, and if the pain persists, then you need to change your diet. However, frequent chest pain that is not heartburn can be a sign that you have high cholesterol. So, you should find a way to get more exercise and also take the time to look at your diet.
If you are serious about solving this problem, then you need to consider why you are having chest pain, and then take action.
5. Stroke
A stroke is a sign of high cholesterol, as is the general feeling that you are about to have a stroke. You should keep this in mind, as it is one of the most overlooked symptoms. If you are someone who is experiencing stroke-like symptoms, it is usually due to a blockage or narrowing of the arteries in your brain. If the artery is completely blocked, then you are at risk of having a stroke.
However, stroke is not something you can easily avoid, you will have to work very hard to improve your body to the point where stroke is no longer a big problem. If you want to avoid the risk of stroke, we recommend you consider this. Try and improve your cholesterol levels, as this could be a sign that a stroke is imminent.
6. Pain when walking
If you feel like your legs are constantly stiff and unable to function, you are not alone. Those tingling and painful legs are not only a sign that you have been sitting too long or need to go for a run, they are often symptoms of high cholesterol, meaning you should look to address the problem as soon as possible.
Consider the pain you feel when walking. The pain often comes from clogged arteries in your legs, which are not able to send blood down as desired.
