What condition could high cholesterol levels lead to?

High cholesterol levels can lead to a number of serious conditions, including:

- Coronary heart disease: This is the most common form of heart disease and is caused by a build-up of cholesterol in the arteries that supply blood to the heart. This can lead to a heart attack, which occurs when the blood supply to the heart is suddenly cut off.

- Stroke: This occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted, either by a blood clot or by a burst blood vessel. High cholesterol levels can increase the risk of stroke by contributing to the build-up of plaque in the arteries that supply blood to the brain.

- Peripheral artery disease (PAD): This is a condition in which the arteries in the legs or arms become narrowed or blocked, restricting blood flow to these areas. PAD can cause pain, numbness, and weakness in the affected limbs, and can increase the risk of amputation.

- Hypertension (high blood pressure): High cholesterol levels can also contribute to high blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

- Kidney disease: High cholesterol levels can damage the kidneys, leading to kidney failure.

- Gallstones: High cholesterol levels can increase the risk of developing gallstones, which are hard deposits of cholesterol and other substances that can form in the gallbladder.

- Pancreatitis: High cholesterol levels can also increase the risk of developing pancreatitis, which is an inflammation of the pancreas.