People could be unaware they're at risk of having high cholesterol level - .and millions could be affected. Experts have warned. Cholesterol doesn't typically cause symptoms which makes it almost impossible to spot.
It is a fatty lipid substance that is present in blood. According to the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT), a lot of people are unaware they have high levels. Knowing your cholesterol numbers helps with your overall health and to reduce your risk of serious ailments such as heart disease.
Some signs of high cholesterol show up in your body, including some that you can spot in and around your eye, the Mirror reports.
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The British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT), says a lot of people are unaware they have high levels. Some small checks can help ensure you're keeping an eye on your wellbeing.
GP and TV Doctor Dr Rachel Ward said a sign of the condition can show up next to your eyes. "If you have white or yellow lumps near the eyelids or nose this could be a sign of high cholesterol," Dr Rachel told The Sun.
"These are called xanthelasma deposits and can be an indication that you have high cholesterol," she explained.
There are two types of cholesterol: HDL and LDL cholesterol:
- HDL is high-density lipoprotein; it is this type of cholesterol that is required for overall cardiovascular health.
- LDL stands for low-density lipoprotein. This is a type of cholesterol forms as a plaque in the arteries causing blood pressure to rise.
Eye symptoms of high cholesterol include xanthelasm, which causes flat or somewhat raised yellowish area seen around the eyes or near the nose. Studies have found that around half of the people who have xanthelasma have high cholesterol.
Arcus senilis can be another symptom. The condition is known as arcus senilis and is visible around the coloured part of the eye, the iris. It may cause a blue, white or light grey ring to form around the outside of the front of the eye. The condition may start at the top or bottom of the cornea but over time it will form a full ring.
Another symptom can be a retinal vein occlusion - a blockage of the blood vessels that feed the retina - can result in sudden and serious vision problems.
How to lower your cholesterol levels:
One of the worst types of foods impacting cholesterol levels are those high in saturated fat. Foods high in saturated fat include meat pies, sausages and fatty meat; butter, lard and ghee; cream and hard cheese, like cheddar; cakes and biscuits and food that contains coconut oil or palm oil.
Experts urge people to get regular eye checks to help look after your eyes, as some serious eye conditions do not have any visible early warning symptoms.
