Having high cholesterol (total cholesterol) above 200 mg/dL is known as hyperlipidemia and can lead to serious health problems. Most unhealthy cholesterol comes from what we eat and drink. Kroll says, “LDL, or ‘bad cholesterol’ can be lowered with soy protein, oat bran, garlic, and plant sterol extracts.”
In addition to your dietary cholesterol, there are other factors to keep in mind. Family history, age, and physical activity can all influence your cholesterol levels. Born females tend to have lower total cholesterol levels—and after menopause, LDL levels can increase, resulting in higher total cholesterol.
Unfortunately, there are no glaring symptoms of having high cholesterol. That being said, there are few a signs that may be indicators to look deeper into your cholesterol levels:
Growths or lesions on the skin. If you notice any yellowing of the skin and small bumps across your body, this may be xanthomas. These are lipid deposits that appear near the surface of your skin.
Obesity or diabetes. Those who are obese or diabetic have a higher risk of high cholesterol and should be tested regularly.
Men who experience impotence. Too much blood cholesterol can affect arteries and result in erectile dysfunction.
The best way to know if you have high cholesterol is to have your blood tested. This is why it’s important to keep up with your routine check-ups. If you want to check your cholesterol between trips to the doctor, these at-home cholesterol tests can help.
