Spotting high cholesterol without a GP visit - key signs in your face and hands

Keeping an eye on your cholesterol levels can be a straightforward way to gauge if you're eating right or getting enough physical activity.

However, unless you pop into your local GP, it's not always easy to determine just how fit and healthy you truly are. While it's crucial to get a blood test if you have health concerns, many folks don't realise that high cholesterol can be detected through physically visible signs.

Cholesterol accumulation in your body is typically due to a diet rich in fats, combined with smoking, alcohol consumption, lack of exercise, or genetics. If this fatty cholesterol begins to line your blood vessels excessively, it could lead to a blockage resulting in severe health issues like heart attacks and strokes.

As you age, the likelihood of developing high cholesterol increases, with over two-thirds of men and women above 65 diagnosed with elevated levels during routine health screenings. However, anyone can develop high cholesterol, whether due to genetic or environmental factors.

Therefore, being able to identify the signs of its build-up in your body - simply by looking in the mirror - is crucial, reports Gloucestershire Live.

The only definitive way to know if you have high cholesterol, which can be managed with diet, exercise, and medication, is through a blood test. But if you notice any of these signs on your face, hands, or legs, or if you're merely concerned about your cholesterol levels, you should consult your GP immediately.

The British Heart Foundation has shed light on the role of cholesterol, stating: "Cholesterol is a natural fatty substance in your blood. It's produced in the liver and it's also in some of the foods we eat. Cholesterol is important to keep the cells in our bodies healthy."

They warn that having an excess amount can lead to serious health issues: "High cholesterol means that you have too much cholesterol in your blood. There are many things that can cause this. If you don't take steps to lower high cholesterol, it can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke."

Face

One of the indicators of high cholesterol can be seen when looking at someone's face - specifically a glance into a person's eyes - or your own reflection might reveal the problem.

As cholesterol circulates through the bloodstream, it can accumulate in various areas. When it builds up around the eyes, there are several signs to look out for.

A typical sign of high cholesterol is known as xanthelasma, which manifests as lumps on the eyelid or surrounding skin. These bumps are yellowish due to the accumulation of fatty cholesterol deposits beneath the skin.

While they usually don't cause discomfort, they can be an indication of fats accumulating in your blood vessels.

Another common sign that can be observed in someone's eyes is known as arcus senilis, which manifests as a blue, white, or grey circle around the coloured part of your eye, the iris. It may begin as a line at the top and bottom of your iris, before evolving into a full circle.

Men are more prone to develop this circle around their iris, which serves as a warning that your cholesterol levels might be on the rise, a condition that becomes increasingly prevalent with age. If this ring appears in children, it is referred to as arcus juveniles, and is a stronger indication that their cholesterol is not balanced.

The third most frequent symptom of fat accumulation in your blood vessels is the development of a retinal vein occlusion, which causes your eye to protrude. This severe condition can occur when cholesterol breaks off and obstructs the vein that supplies blood to your retina, causing it to leak.

Hands

There are just as many signs that you can spot cholesterol building up in your hands as there are in your eyes. But many might dismiss a swollen knuckle, or small bumps on your hands.

Tendon xanthomata can cause cholesterol deposits to accumulate around tendons in your body, making them sore and swollen. While this can be most noticeable on your knuckle, it can happen anywhere, such as your Achilles tendon.

High cholesterol can show itself in many ways and these signs can often be attributed to other factors, as with one of the symptoms that may indicate elevated levels - a frequent or painful tingling sensation in your hands. Cholesterol deposits causing blockages in your blood vessels might lead to reduced blood flow, which may manifest as tingling sensations in the hands.

However, numbness is not a symptom of high cholesterol, so if you're sensing this but cannot feel your fingers, cholesterol levels aren't the likely root cause.

This condition might stamp its mark on your nails as well by turning them pale, a significant sign that the blood isn't flowing adequately through the vessels in your hand.

Legs

The legs don't escape the ravages either. Symptoms spreading from your heart to your legs may include numbness and tingling, caused by narrowing blood vessels due to plaque buildup resulting from high cholesterol.

These conditions come with a set of complications, requiring medical attention. These symptoms could be indicative of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) and a visit to your doctor would be crucial at this stage.

The NJ Cardiovascular Institute explains: "Your legs are quite far from your heart, but they're also at risk of complications from high cholesterol."

"Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a complication that can develop when the arteries in your legs get too narrow due to buildup from high cholesterol levels."

"PAD can cause numbness and tingling in your legs or feet. Loss of sensation can increase your risk of ulcers and other slow-healing wounds. Another common symptom of PAD is leg pain that feels like muscle cramping, particularly with physical activity."

Keeping an eye out for these symptoms, or if there are general health concerns, the best course of action is to keep yourself updated on cholesterol levels and take proactive steps towards lowering them by visiting your GP and doing tests.

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