High cholesterol is sometimes called "THE SILENT KILLER", and with good reason. There are very few obvious symptoms of high cholesterol, so for many people the first indication that something is wrong can come in the form of a heart attack or stroke.
This is a worrying situation because heart disease continues to be a major cause of death all around the world.
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In Australia heart disease kills someone every 12 minutes and the picture is equally grim in many parts of Europe and North America. High cholesterol levels are a major contributing factor and statistics provided by the Centres for Disease and Control Prevention reveal (31.7%) of US citizens have elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL). This is the bad kind of cholesterol that clogs up the arteries and causes heart attacks, so the fact that there are so few symptoms of high cholesterol present a real cause for concern. It may also explain why the statistics also show less than 48% of adults who have elevated LDL levels are getting the treatment the condition necessitates.
A Few Symptoms of High Cholesterol to Look out For
Symptoms of Angina
When the arteries and other blood vessels have been narrowed by a build of plaque, caused by LDL cholesterol, it can cause angina. Non-angina sufferers often fail to realize it, but angina is simply the name given to narrowed arteries.
Indications of angina can include:
One or more of the above could be a symptom of high cholesterol because in the case one condition (elevated LDL) can indicate the existence of another (angina).
Pain while Walking
Unexplained pains in the leg that are experienced while walking or standing could be an indication that one or more of the arteries in the leg have become blocked, thereby reducing the flow of blood to the muscles. This could be due to the formation of a blood clot or a restriction in the width of the arterial passage, caused by a build-up of plaque.
Heart Attacks and / or Strokes
Sadly, for some people a heart attack stroke may be the first symptom of high cholesterol that is experienced. For some it may also be the last, but whenever such a dramatic wake-up call is experienced doctors will automatically carried a plethora of tests, including present cholesterol level, but it is far better to get to grips with the problem before such an event takes place. Anyone can visit their doctor and ask for a cholesterol check and it is also possible to do a self-test at home.
When the arteries and other blood vessels have been narrowed by a build of plaque, caused by LDL cholesterol, it can cause angina. Non-angina sufferers often fail to realize it, but angina is simply the name given to narrowed arteries.
Indications of angina can include:
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Pain in the back arms, shoulder, jaw, or neck (usually accompanied by chest pain
- Breathlessness
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Sweating
- Dizziness
One or more of the above could be a symptom of high cholesterol because in the case one condition (elevated LDL) can indicate the existence of another (angina).
Pain while Walking
Unexplained pains in the leg that are experienced while walking or standing could be an indication that one or more of the arteries in the leg have become blocked, thereby reducing the flow of blood to the muscles. This could be due to the formation of a blood clot or a restriction in the width of the arterial passage, caused by a build-up of plaque.
Heart Attacks and / or Strokes
Sadly, for some people a heart attack stroke may be the first symptom of high cholesterol that is experienced. For some it may also be the last, but whenever such a dramatic wake-up call is experienced doctors will automatically carried a plethora of tests, including present cholesterol level, but it is far better to get to grips with the problem before such an event takes place. Anyone can visit their doctor and ask for a cholesterol check and it is also possible to do a self-test at home.
Getting to Grips with the Problem
sAnyone who feels they have symptoms of high cholesterol, or who is unduly worried that their present diet, lifestyle, or family history may put them at risk, would be wise to undergo the necessary testing. In the main, most doctors continue to prescribe statin medications to bring LDL levels down to an acceptable level. But the associated side effects and potential dangers the drugs present make them an unpopular choice with many people who require a safe way to bring LDL down to a safe level. Hence the growing popularity of LDL lowering supplements, but whatever the method used to get to grips with the problem the symptoms of high cholesterol should never be ignored.