High cholesterol is famously known as a “silent condition” because it typically produces no symptoms at all in its early stages. Most people have no idea their levels are dangerously high until it leads to a major cardiovascular event like a heart attack or stroke.
However, in certain cases—particularly when cholesterol is severely elevated due to genetics (such as familial hypercholesterolemia)—physical warning signs can eventually appear on the body.
Here are the first 2 of 5 major signs and physical markers associated with high cholesterol:
1. Xanthelasma (Yellowish Cholesterol Deposits Around the Eyes)
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What it looks like: Soft, yellowish, flat or slightly raised bumps or plaques that develop on or around your eyelids, particularly near the inner corner of the eye.
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Why it happens: These are localized deposits of cholesterol-laden white blood cells just underneath the skin. While they are harmless on their own, roughly half of the people who develop xanthelasma have underlying high blood cholesterol or triglyceride levels.
2. Corneal Arcus (A White or Gray Ring Around the Iris)
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What it looks like: A distinct white, gray, or opaque ring or arc forming around the outer edge of the cornea (the clear front surface of your eye, overlapping the colored part).
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Why it happens: It is caused by a deposit of cholesterol and other lipids leaking from the blood vessels at the edge of the cornea. While common in older adults as a natural part of aging, seeing this in younger individuals can be a strong visual indicator of dangerously high blood lipid levels.
(Stay tuned for part 2 to explore the remaining warning signs, including physical indicators that affect your limbs and cardiovascular system!)
