Main signs and symptoms of high cholesterol; know when to investigate

Anyone who thinks that every type of cholesterol is bad and that it does not perform important functions in the body. The big question is that, like everything else in life, excess cholesterol is bad. Therefore, it is important to know which signs and symptoms of high cholesterol, what to do to keep it under control and what are the consequences of losing control.

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What is the importance of cholesterol?

There are different types of cholesterol, the main ones being LDL (popularly known as bad), HDL (good cholesterol) and total cholesterol, which is the sum of HDL with LDL and VLDL, which is less known.

From cholesterol, some important hormones are formed for the functioning of the organism. Furthermore, bile acids (substances that aid in the digestion of fats) are formed from cholesterol molecules, and it also participates in the formation of vitamin D and the membranes of our cells.

Signs that cholesterol is high

Reference values ​​for total cholesterol vary according to age, but for adults it should be less than 190 mg/dL. The desirable value for LDL is less than 130 mg/dL, and for HDL it should be greater than 40 mg/dL, according to the Brazilian Society of Cardiology.

The investigation to check cholesterol levels is simple, just perform a blood test. However, there are some signs and symptoms that indicate the possibility that cholesterol is above recommended levels. See the list below and see a doctor if you notice any of them in your daily life.

• Excess fat in the abdominal area

Excess abdominal fat (or visceral fat) is linked to high cholesterol, according to doctors. That's because fat around the belly is metabolically more active, which means it produces a number of factors that increase the risk of heart disease, such as inflammatory substances, for example.

• Small yellow spots (xanthomas)

Xanthoma is an accumulation of lipids (fat) in the skin, which can appear anywhere on the body, especially on the elbows, knees, feet, thighs, hands and buttocks. Xanthelasmas, which are also small deposits of fatty matter, are concentrated in the eyelid region. Both can indicate excess cholesterol.

• Chest pain

Excess LDL (bad) cholesterol can “clog” your arteries and make them stiff. Consequently, blood circulation is impaired and as a result, there may be chest pain due to difficulty in passing blood and interruption of oxygen transport.

This article does not provide solutions for medical or psychological problems. Consult a specialist before starting any treatment.