Visible markers of elevated cholesterol levels on the face: Images and further insights
High cholesterol is a common condition that often goes unnoticed, as it typically doesn't cause any symptoms. However, it can lead to serious health issues such as stroke, heart attack, and peripheral vascular disease if left untreated. In this article, we will discuss the skin signs associated with high cholesterol, the importance of regular testing, and the role of lifestyle modifications in its management.
Doctors may recommend a combination of medications and lifestyle modifications to treat high cholesterol. Medications might include statins, bile acid sequestrants, other LDL-lowering medications, fibrates, injectable medications like PCSK9 inhibitors, and lifestyle modifications such as limiting foods high in saturated fat, eating a diet rich in fiber, engaging in regular physical exercise, quitting smoking, and reducing alcohol intake.
One of the most characteristic skin signs of high cholesterol is xanthomas, which include xanthelasmas. These appear as small, yellowish, waxy bumps or patches, primarily on the eyelids, elbows, knees, hands, and joints. Corneal arcus, a gray or white ring around the iris of the eye, is another sign linked to high cholesterol.
Inflammatory skin conditions like psoriasis and lichen planus are more common in people with high cholesterol, though these are not direct deposits of cholesterol but rather associated skin diseases with systemic inflammation linked to lipid abnormalities.
Recognition of these signs should prompt a medical evaluation for cholesterol levels and cardiovascular risk. High cholesterol may be due to factors such as diet, lifestyle habits, certain medications, family history, and other medical conditions like diabetes, chronic kidney disease, obesity, and sleep apnea.
After the age of 40, a healthcare professional may wish to assess their risk factors for high cholesterol and recommend more frequent testing. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that adults aged 20 years and older get cholesterol and traditional risk factor testing every 4 to 6 years.
Eruptive xanthoma is a skin condition that can occur in people with severe high blood lipid levels and unmanaged diabetes. A complete cholesterol or lipid panel test is used to check a person's blood cholesterol levels.
High blood cholesterol levels can increase a person's risk of stroke, heart disease, acute pancreatitis, and peripheral vascular disease. Drug therapy has significant benefits for people with new-onset and recurrent heart conditions due to high cholesterol.
People should consider regular cholesterol testing, especially if they have a high risk for high cholesterol, such as those with cardiovascular disease or a family history of high cholesterol. Regular testing and timely treatment can help manage high cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of associated health issues.
- High cholesterol can lead to serious health issues like stroke, heart attack, and peripheral vascular disease if left untreated.
- Doctors may recommend a combination of medications and lifestyle modifications to treat high cholesterol.
- Xanthomas, including xanthelasmas, are characteristic skin signs of high cholesterol, appearing as yellowish bumps or patches on various body parts.
- Corneal arcus, a gray or white ring around the iris, is another sign linked to high cholesterol.
- Inflammatory skin conditions like psoriasis and lichen planus are more common in people with high cholesterol, but these are not direct deposits of cholesterol.
- Recognition of these skin signs should prompt a medical evaluation for cholesterol levels and cardiovascular risk.
- After the age of 40, a healthcare professional may recommend more frequent testing for high cholesterol risk factors.
- People with cardiovascular disease or a family history of high cholesterol should consider regular cholesterol testing to manage their levels and reduce associated health risks.
