From unexplained tiredness to tiny yellow bumps near your eyes, these are subtle high cholesterol symptoms you should not avoid.
High cholesterol is often called a ‘silent killer’, and for good reason. It builds up slowly in your arteries, often without any clear symptoms, quietly increasing your risk of heart disease and stroke. You might feel perfectly fine, but your body could still be trying to tell you something. Subtle clues like unusual fatigue, chest discomfort during activity, or even small yellowish bumps near your eyes or joints can be early warning signs. These quiet signals are easy to overlook, but they may be the signs your body is trying to give singles of high cholesterol levels. Therefore, paying close attention to high cholesterol symptoms and acting early could make all the difference, not just for your heart health, but for your overall well-being.
Could those yellow bumps around your eyes mean something more?
Have you noticed soft, yellowish bumps appearing on the skin around your eyelids or near your joints? It might seem harmless, but these bumps are called Xanthelasma palpebrarum, which can be more than just a cosmetic concern. According to research published in StatPearls, they are actually small deposits of cholesterol beneath the skin, and while they are not dangerous by themselves, they can be a sign that your body is struggling with high cholesterol levels.
These fatty buildups tend to appear around the inner corners of the eyelids, especially on the upper lids. While not everyone with high cholesterol symptoms will develop xanthelasma, their presence could be your body’s early warning sign. If you notice them, it is worth getting your cholesterol checked otherwise, your heart health is at risk.
Is your constant tiredness actually a heart health warning?
We all feel worn out from time to time, but if you are constantly exhausted, even after a good night’s sleep, it could be more than just stress or a busy schedule. Unusual, persistent fatigue can sometimes be subtle high cholesterol symptom. When cholesterol builds up in your arteries, it narrows them, making it harder for blood to flow freely.
As a result, your heart has to work overtime to supply your body with oxygen, which can leave you feeling unusually tired or sluggish. According to research in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research, fatigue may be linked to reduced blood flow caused by clogged arteries. If you feel tired every day, it might be time to check what is going on and check your cholesterol levels.
What does that mild chest discomfort during a walk really mean?
If you have ever felt a tightness, pressure, or mild discomfort in your chest during a brisk walk or while climbing stairs, do not ignore it. This sensation is known as angina, which can be an early warning high cholesterol symptoms that your heart is not getting enough oxygen-rich blood, often due to narrowed or clogged coronary arteries. One of the major culprits behind this narrowing? High levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol.
As the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute explains, angina is your heart signaling that it is under stress and working harder than it should. These symptoms might be subtle, but they matter.
Recognising this discomfort as a potential red flag gives you the chance to take action before a serious event like a heart attack occurs. If these signs sound familiar, especially with a family history of heart disease, do not wait, talk to your doctor and get your cholesterol levels checked.
