High Cholesterol | Symptoms and Diagnosis
Symptoms
Most people with high cholesterol have no symptoms until cholesterol-related atherosclerosis causes significant narrowing of the arteries supplying the heart and brain. The result is chest pain related to the heart (angina pectoris) or other symptoms of coronary artery disease, as well as symptoms of decreased blood flow to the brain (transient ischemic attack or stroke).
About 1 in 500 people have inherited a condition called familial hypercholesterolemia, which causes extremely high cholesterol levels (above 300 milligrams per deciliter). People with this disorder can develop nodules of cholesterol (xanthomas) in various tendons, especially in the Achilles tendon in the bottom of the leg. Cholesterol deposits also occur on the eyelids, there are called xanthelasma.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will ask if anyone in your family has had coronary artery disease, high cholesterol or diabetes. Also ask about your diet and if you have ever smoked. Check your blood pressure and look for xanthomas and xanthelasma. The doctor may confirm a diagnosis of high cholesterol with a simple blood test.