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Signs & Symptoms of Cholesterol Problems

Though everyone has cholesterol in their cells, high levels can create fatty deposits that clog up blood vessels. If this blockage becomes too great, not enough blood can reach organs such as the heart, lungs and brain. Fortunately, the proper diet and exercise can lower cholesterol to proper levels.

  1. Complications

    • When high cholesterol causes atherosclerosis, accumulation on the artery walls, it reduces blood flow. If these arteries are connected to the heart, it is possible to have angina, pain in the chest wall. If the plaque comes off the wall, a blood clot may form that will block all blood and result in death. Too much plaque in the arteries that lead to the heart can cause a heart attack; those that lead to the brain can cause a stroke.

    Risk Factors

    • Though some people are genetically predisposed to high cholesterol, there are a myriad of risk factors that will increase cholesterol levels or make a heart attack more likely. Poor diet, lack of exercise or obesity raise cholesterol levels. Having high blood sugar, such as in a person with diabetes, damages the arterial lining. Cigarette smoke is also bad. The smoke damages the blood vessels and allows for an easier buildup of plaque.

    Symptoms

    • Unfortunately, most people with high cholesterol will have no symptoms until it's too late. The only way to truly know blood cholesterol level is to take a blood test. Doctors recommend that people begin testing for cholesterol at age 20 and have it checked every five years, henceforth. Alert your doctor about familial cholesterol history and other risk factors when you are tested.

    LDL Versus HDL

    • Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is considered "bad" cholesterol. This is the type that narrows and hardens the walls of the arteries. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is considered "good" cholesterol. This type takes excess cholesterol to the liver for purification. People with high levels of LDL can also have high levels of HDL. In these situations, doctors are less worried about imminent health threats from elevated LDL levels.

    Diagnosis

    • A cholesterol blood test factors in LDL, HDL, total level and triglycerides. You are not allowed to eat or drink for 12 hours before the test. All the numbers are interpreted before your doctor will make any recommendations. If your cholesterol level is higher than 200 milligrams per deciliter of blood, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes or, if your levels are very high, medication may be recommended.

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