Does High Cholesterol Cause Symptoms?
Without a cholesterol test, you may not know if you have high cholesterol.
In many cases, you don’t contact your primary care physician unless you’re having some new or unusual symptoms. Because of this, you may not seek out cholesterol testing. In fact, about a third of adults in the U.S. have not had their cholesterol checked in the last five years as recommended.
Does high cholesterol cause symptoms?
High cholesterol doesn’t cause symptoms, especially at first. If it goes untreated and it progresses, it may lead to:
Angina (chest pain caused by blocked blood flow)
Heart attack
Stroke
If you know you have high cholesterol, you and your doctor can work together to reduce your risk of these medical emergencies.
How do you know if you have high cholesterol?
Because high cholesterol doesn’t cause symptoms, regular cholesterol screening is so important. This is a quick and simple blood test that you can get at your primary care provider’s office.
How often should I get my cholesterol checked?
Healthy adults should get a cholesterol test every four to six years. You should get your cholesterol checked more frequently if you have certain risk factors for heart disease.
For example, your primary care doctor may suggest more frequent cholesterol tests if you:
Are older than 45 or are postmenopausal
Have high LDL cholesterol
Have low HDL cholesterol
Have high blood pressure
Have a family history of heart disease or high cholesterol
Smoke cigarettes
Have diabetes
What happens if I have high cholesterol?
Not everyone with high cholesterol will need medications right away. Lifestyle changes (like regular exercise and a heart-healthy diet) may be enough for some.
If lifestyle changes aren’t enough or your numbers are very high, you may benefit from a cholesterol-lowering medication. The right cholesterol medication for you will depend on many factors. The good news is that there are many options today, so most people are able to find one that is effective while minimizing side effects.
- Jennifer Haythe, MDDr. Haythe is a Cardiologist at Columbia University's Irving Medical Center.
References
American Heart Association. (2024). Coronary artery disease- coronary heart disease.
American Heart Association. (2024). Atherosclerosis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Testing for cholesterol.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). High cholesterol facts.