High cholesterol levels do not initially cause pain. However, skin changes on the face can be a first sign.
You don’t always need a blood test to detect some diseases: Alzheimer’s, for example, can be recognized by the eyes – long before the symptoms of the most common form of dementia appear. The first signs of increased cholesterol levels can also be seen on the face, where they appear as skin changes.
High cholesterol levels recognizable on the face: skin changes as a warning sign
Cholesterol is a raw material that the human body needs. As an important component of the cell membrane, it is involved in the formation of certain hormones. Every cell therefore needs cholesterol. Most of the cholesterol needs are met by the body itself. Finally, the smaller part is ingested through food. It is transported from the liver to the cells via the blood. However, if there is an excess of cholesterol in the blood and vessel wall, it can lead to serious damage to health due to vascular calcification. This increases the risk of stroke and heart attack.
The so-called low-density lipoproteins (LDL) play an important role in vascular diseases. Unlike high-density lipoproteins (HDL), they’re dubbed the “bad cholesterol” because research has shown that high levels of LDL cholesterol are directly related to heart attack risk and cardiovascular disease mortality could. However, high LDL cholesterol levels often go unnoticed by those affected for a long time because they do not cause any pain or discomfort. In some cases, however, the first sign can be skin changes. The yellowish, sometimes pimple-like fat deposits appear on the arms and legs or the buttocks. The so-called xanthomas can also appear on the eyelids, which means that elevated cholesterol levels can sometimes also be read on the face.
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Elevated cholesterol levels: Cause in hereditary predisposition and unhealthy lifestyle
If there has been an excess of cholesterol for years, further symptoms and typical signs can occur due to the narrowed blood vessels. These include, for example, shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, dizziness, blurred vision, impaired consciousness or pain in the legs. In these cases, a doctor should be consulted.
Hereditary predisposition and an unhealthy lifestyle can be the cause of elevated cholesterol levels. The disease can therefore be prevented with the help of a healthy and balanced diet and sufficient exercise. However, liver or kidney diseases, a bile duct obstruction or an underactive thyroid can also cause elevated cholesterol levels, for example.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editorial team cannot answer individual questions about clinical pictures.