Blood Cholesterol Symptoms

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High levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol usually do not cause symptoms. Most people do not know they have high blood cholesterol until they have a blood test during a routine healthcare visit.

If your levels are very high, you may notice the following signs:

• Fatty bumps (xanthomas) on your skin, especially on the elbows, joints, knees, hands, ankles, or buttocks
• Grayish-white rings ( corneal arcus ) that appear around the cornea in your eye

These signs develop mostly in people who have very high cholesterol that runs in families (familial hypercholesterolemia).

Undiagnosed or untreated high blood cholesterol can lead to serious problems, such as heart attack and stroke. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risk and steps you can take to keep your cholesterol levels in a healthy range.