High cholesterol levels are often reluctant to rear their ugly heads in the early stages. This tricky nature earned the condition a nickname as a silent killer.
High levels of the fatty substance can hike your risk of dangerous heart attacks and strokes without you knowing it. However, Dr Smriti Saraf, Consultant Cardiologist at The Lister Hospital, part of HCA Healthcare UK, has outlined the first red flag of cholesterol clogging your arteries.
Dr Saraf told Express.co.uk: “The first noticeable symptom of cholesterol clogging your arteries, a condition medically known as atherosclerosis, often doesn’t appear until there’s a significant blockage.
“However, when symptoms do occur, they can vary depending on the affected artery. For instance, if it’s a coronary artery, you may experience symptoms such as chest pain (angina) or shortness of breath, often during physical activity.
“If it’s in the arteries leading to your brain, it might result in sudden numbness or weakness in your arms or legs, difficulty speaking or slurred speech, or drooping muscles in your face. These are symptoms of a stroke and require immediate medical attention.”
The doctor explained that the fatty substance triggers these signs by building up on the inner walls of your arteries.
Here, cholesterol forms a hard, thick substance known as plaque. Worryingly, this process, known as atherosclerosis, can start as early as childhood.
Dr Saraf said: “As the plaque builds up, it narrows the artery, reducing blood flow to vital organs.
“If a piece of this plaque breaks off, it can cause a blood clot, which can block blood flow altogether. This can lead to a heart attack or stroke, depending on the location of the blocked artery.”
Therefore if you notice any of the warning signs the doctor outlined, it’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention. “These are serious symptoms that may indicate a heart attack or stroke,” the doctor added.
While these red flags may appear, Dr Saraf reinstated that physical symptoms of high cholesterol don’t often present until the condition has developed over time.
She said: “In some cases, people are unaware they have high cholesterol until they experience a heart attack or stroke, which are severe health events that can occur when cholesterol buildup leads to blockages in the arteries supplying the heart or brain.
“This is why regular blood tests are so important. They are the primary way to detect high cholesterol levels early, allowing for intervention before it leads to serious health problems.”
A simple blood test, known as a lipid profile, can measure your total cholesterol, ‘bad’ cholesterol, and ‘good’ cholesterol.
The NHS also explains that this is the only reliable way to confirm your cholesterol levels.
Dr Saraf added: “It is recommended that adults over 40 should have their cholesterol checked at least every five years.
“However, if you have a family history of high cholesterol or other risk factors for cardiovascular disease, you may need to have your cholesterol levels checked more frequently.”
