If you mean “5 symptoms that warn you your cholesterol is too high,” there’s an important catch: high cholesterol usually causes no symptoms at all. You generally cannot tell from how you feel; a blood test is needed to measure it.
Possible warning signs can occur after cholesterol has contributed to artery disease, rather than being symptoms of high cholesterol itself:
Chest pain or pressure — can indicate reduced blood flow to the heart.
Pain or cramping in the legs when walking — may occur with peripheral artery disease.
Sudden weakness, numbness, or trouble speaking — possible signs of a stroke and require emergency care.
Yellowish deposits around the eyes or on the skin — certain cholesterol deposits (xanthelasma/xanthomas) can occur, particularly with very high cholesterol.
A gray-white ring around the cornea (corneal arcus) — can sometimes be associated with high cholesterol, especially when it appears at a young age.
Bottom line: Don’t wait for symptoms to check cholesterol. A lipid blood test (LDL, HDL, triglycerides, and total cholesterol) is the reliable way to know.
If you have the “1/2” and “2/2” posts, send them to me and I can check each claimed symptom for accuracy.
