Is high cholesterol REALLY symptomless? The four unusual symptoms

High cholesterol: Nutritionist reveals top prevention tips

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High cholesterol is when you have too much of a fatty substance called cholesterol in your blood. High cholesterol doesn’t cause symptoms and the only way you can find out if you have high cholesterol is to take a blood test. However, Express.co.uk chatted to Dr Deborah Lee from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy about four possible unusual symptoms of high cholesterol.

We all know that a raised cholesterol level is bad news for our health, but how do we know our cholesterol levels are too high?

You wouldn’t know your cholesterol levels are too high unless you have a cholesterol blood test.

Dr Lee explained: “Raised cholesterol levels do not cause symptoms – that is, until your arteries are so furred up you end up with angina, a heart attack, or a stroke.

“It’s far preferable to have your cholesterol levels checked long before you get to this stage.”

Despite the symptomless nature of the dangerous condition, there are a few clinical signs of raised cholesterol.

Raised cholesterol is most commonly diagnosed when a person is admitted to the hospital, for example with a heart attack or from asymptomatic testing.

However, there are a few signs to look out for before it gets to this stage.

Xanthelasma

Xanthelasma is whitish, yellow lumps that can be seen on the skin of the face around the eyes and nose.

They are harmless but may occur in association with raised cholesterol levels.

Tendon xanthomas can occur on the knuckles, the knees, the Achilles tendon or tendons of the feet.

Arcus senilis

Arcus senilis is a greyish, white rim that can be seen on the outer circumference of the cornea, in the eye.

It is very common in older adults, but if it occurs in a person under 40, it may signify raised cholesterol.

If arcus senilis is seen in older adults, it probably isn’t related to high cholesterol.

Dupuytren’s contracture

Dupuytren’s contracture is a type of deformity of the hand, but it could be linked to cholesterol.

With the deformity, there is tightening of the tendons that supply the fourth and fifth fingers, in the palm of the hands, such that you find it hard to fully straighten the fourth and fifth fingers. Eventually, the fingers are completely bent.

In research studies, Dupuytren’s contracture occurs more often in those with raised cholesterol levels.

The condition is also associated with smoking, alcohol and diabetes.

Absent pulses

When the doctor examines you, they may find absent pulses in your limbs.

The doctor may hear ‘bruits’ or abnormal sounds if they listen over the blocked artery with a stethoscope.

Heart murmurs, such as aortic stenosis, may also be present, and these could all be the result of high cholesterol.

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