It is crucial that we’re aware of what’s going on in our body. However, a lot of people tend to ignore any signs that their body manifests unless the symptoms become severe. Having high cholesterol is associated with critical illness. Hence, it is important that you know if your cholesterol is high in order to do something about it as early as possible.
By determining your cholesterol levels, you can also know if you’re at risk of any heart-related problems since having high cholesterol can heighten your risk of developing said disease. Surprisingly, you may experience zero symptoms even if your cholesterol levels aren’t normal. So, you could be feeling great about your body and health but there’s already an underlying cholesterol problem present. With this being unaddressed throughout the years, this can gradually develop into a heart disease.
Nonetheless, there are some things that may show that your blood cholesterol levels are not normal. Just remember that these signs can also be associated with other medical issues. Given this, it is vital that your blood is checked and evaluated in order to verify whether your cholesterol levels are high or not.
Below are signs that your cholesterol levels may be high:
1. Yellow growth on eyelids
Xanthelasma is the yellow growth on your eyelids that doesn’t cause pain. There’s no need to worry, though. It doesn’t affect your eyesight in any way. But this condition clearly shows that your blood cholesterol level is high. Even though this can be eradicated with the use of lasers and acids, the only way to get rid of it for good is to normalize your cholesterol levels.
2. Gray ring that surrounds the cornea
Your eyes can say something about the status of your health. You just have to pay attention to it. If there’s a gray arc-like figure that surrounds your cornea, which is the part of the eye that covers the iris, it means you have circumferential arcus. Though this is typical in older individuals, it can be a sign of high cholesterol levels in people who are 45 years old and younger. The gray arc that you may be seeing is composed of cholesterol that has accumulated in the deeper areas of your cornea.
3. Tingling feeling in the hands and feet
When your cholesterol levels are high, numerous blood vessels in your body can become congested. For this reason, your health becomes seriously compromised if your cholesterol is substantially high. Moreover, it’s possible that you feel a prickling sensation in both your hands and feet if your blood vessels are obstructed by cholesterol. This is because the nerves in your extremities aren’t acquiring sufficient oxygen and blood filled with nutrients for normal functioning.
4. Tenderness in the neck and back of the head
As mentioned, blood vessels become clogged up when the cholesterol levels are high. Thus, it is also likely for you to experience pain in the back of your head since the circulation to your head is disrupted. This occurrence can also leave your neck feeling uncomfortable and sore every now and then. Even the shoulders could have similar affliction, too. Physicians also warn that having high cholesterol levels could make you more prone to a headache that doesn’t go away easily, especially one that affects the back of your head.
5. Rapid heartbeat
It’s normally harmless when your heart is palpitating a bit more intensely, something you’d typically have after working out or doing intense physical activities. Heart palpitations can be also be caused by stress, anxiety, and certain drug consumption. On the other hand, it can also be a sign of health issues concerning the cardiovascular system. Having high cholesterols is one of these issues. This is because your heart tends to work more laboriously when your blood vessels are clogged due to high cholesterol levels, which results in palpitations.
6. Poor lifestyle
If you know that your daily lifestyle consists of unhealthy habits, then you should also know that this eventually would cost you your health. One of the most common problems associated with poor lifestyle choices is high cholesterol levels. This is the case when you have a penchant for fatty foods and you don’t eat a lot of fruits and veggies, which is too bad because it means you’re not consuming much fiber, either.
Moreover, if you’re a regular smoker and drinker, you shouldn’t be surprised if your blood cholesterol is high. You should expect the same thing if you’re overweight and you’re not focusing on proper nutrition and you’re exercising to shed some pounds.
