As a leading contributor to heart attacks and other life-threatening conditions, high cholesterol is a dangerous disease. Oftentimes, there are no visible wounds, fever, or other easily noticeable symptoms of high cholesterol.
Understanding the warning signs of high cholesterol and being proactive about your health can help you prevent long-term complications. In this piece, we will walk you through the high cholesterol warning signs, why early detection is crucial, signs of high cholesterol in females, and prevention tips. Let’s dive in!
Understanding Cholesterol
Before diving into the warning signs of high cholesterol, it’s essential to understand the basics of cholesterol and how it functions in our body.
Cholesterol is a waxy fat-like substance found throughout the body. Our body needs this fat-like substance for good health, but only in the right amounts. Cholesterol helps the body build healthy cells, produce hormones, and synthesize vitamin D. It’s naturally produced by the liver, but it’s also found in many of the foods we eat. There are two primary types of cholesterol:
Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL):
Low-density lipoprotein is widely known as “bad” cholesterol; it contributes to the buildup of fatty plaque in the arteries. In case of high levels of LDL, they can narrow the blood vessels, reducing the blood flow to the heart and brain.
High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL):
High-density lipoprotein is known as “good” cholesterol, it helps remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream and sends it back to the liver for elimination.
The desirable levels of cholesterol are:
- LDL cholesterol: less than 100 mg/dL
- HDL cholesterol: 40 mg/dL or higher
- triglycerides: less than 150 mg/dL
An excess of LDL and HDL imbalances the body, leading to a condition called hypercholesterolemia, high cholesterol. Despite its importance in the body, the consequences can be severe and sometimes irreversible when cholesterol levels spiral out of control. While many assume the condition is only caused by poor diet, the reasons for high cholesterol can include:
- Poor diet (high in saturated fats and processed foods)
- Lack of physical activity
- Genetics
- Diabetes, hypothyroidism, or liver/kidney disorders
Symptoms And Signs of High Cholesterol
One of the most alarming concerns of high cholesterol is that, often, there are no obvious symptoms in its early stages. That’s why it’s often referred to as a silent killer. Many individuals, especially women, may experience slightly different symptoms.
Recognizing the early warning signs of high cholesterol in women and men can lead to faster diagnosis and better treatment plans. These symptoms can often be misattributed to stress, aging, or hormonal shifts. These warning signs of high cholesterol shouldn’t be ignored, as they can lead to physical health complications.
- Symptoms of high cholesterol in females include fatigue, memory fog, and skin changes.
- Signs of high cholesterol in the legs, such as numbness or cramping, can be early signs of restricted blood flow.
- Vision changes or yellow deposits around the eyes might indicate cholesterol deposits in blood vessels.
Why High Cholesterol is Dangerous
You might be wondering: if high cholesterol doesn’t make me feel sick, why should I worry about it? Here’s why: high cholesterol silently damages your arteries and internal organs long before any symptoms appear. Over time, excess LDL cholesterol forms plaques inside the walls of arteries, leading to:
- Narrowed arteries
- Reduced oxygen supply to organs
- Increased risk of blood clots
- Sudden blockages in the heart
Here’s how high cholesterol specifically increases your risk of life-threatening conditions:
- Plaque buildup restricts blood flow to the heart, potentially leading to angina and other heart diseases.
- If plaques rupture, they can cause blood clots that travel to the brain, leading to a stroke.
- When bad cholesterol restricts blood flow, it can cause pain, numbness, or even tissue damage, all symptoms of peripheral artery disease.
- The kidneys rely on healthy blood vessels to filter waste. Blockages can lead to chronic kidney dysfunction over time.
Recognizing high cholesterol signs unique to women can save lives. Women tend to report uncommon symptoms like tiredness, fuzzy thinking, or breathing difficulties instead of typical chest pain. This makes it essential to distinguish between everyday exhaustion and high cholesterol indicators in women.
10 Warning Signs of High Cholesterol
Let’s explore the 10 warning signs of high cholesterol and when to seek medical attention.
Chest Pain
Chest pain occurs when cholesterol plaques restrict blood flow to the heart. It may feel like pressure, tightness, or a squeezing sensation in your chest.
Yellowish Deposits on Skin (Xanthomas)
Xanthomas are fatty deposits that appear as yellowish bumps, often on the elbows, knees, buttocks, or around the eyes. Xanthomas are visible signs of high cholesterol that are often overlooked.
Shortness of Breath
As cholesterol clogs your arteries, your heart works harder to pump blood. This can result in unexplained fatigue, especially during physical activity.
Numbness or Tingling in Limbs
Signs of high cholesterol in the legs and arms can include a numb sensation. This occurs due to poor circulation when narrowed arteries restrict blood supply to extremities.
High Blood Pressure
High cholesterol and high blood pressure commonly happen simultaneously. When arteries narrow due to bad cholesterol, the heart is required to work and pump harder to circulate blood, leading to elevated pressure.
Headache & Dizziness
Frequent headaches or dizziness could be a warning sign of blocked arteries, especially if you’re experiencing other high cholesterol symptoms.
Leg Pain
Frequent cramping or pain in your calves can be a sign of PAD, often linked to high cholesterol. The pain is due to restricted blood flow and usually improves with rest.
Memory Fog
High concentration and a healthy brain need adequate blood flow to function. Signs of high cholesterol can include brain fog, difficulty concentrating, and forgetfulness. This is particularly common in older women whose estrogen levels have declined.
Erectile Dysfunction
High cholesterol in men can limit blood flow to reproductive organs, leading to erectile dysfunction (ED). It’s often an early sign of vascular issues caused by high LDL levels.
Vision Problems
Blurry vision, watery eye, or a gray ring around the cornea can indicate elevated cholesterol. Blocked blood vessels in the retina can even lead to partial vision loss.
Conclusion
For a healthy, long-living life, frequent cholesterol level checks are necessary. Passion Health Primary Care emphasizes the importance of proactive health management. Due to the subtle nature of high cholesterol symptoms, it’s essential to maintain good lifestyle habits, eat a healthy diet, and maintain a regular exercise routine for a healthy heart and body, a cornerstone of care at Passion Health Primary Care.
FAQs
Q. What are the warning signs in women of high cholesterol symptoms?
Ans. Women might experience subtle high cholesterol symptoms such as tiredness, fatigue, leg pain, memory lapses, and skin changes.
Q. What are the different high cholesterol symptoms in females?
Ans. Yes. High cholesterol in women can lead to brain haze, hormone imbalances, and mild tiredness, which people often mistake for other health issues.
Q. How do you prevent high cholesterol naturally?
Ans. To control cholesterol levels without taking medications, it’s recommended to eat well, work out, avoid smoking, and get check-ups often.
