High Cholesterol Symptoms & Diagnosis

Symptoms

The condition itself will rarely cause any symptoms. If not treated, it often leads to atherosclerosis . This is a dangerous hardening of the arteries. It can end up blocking blood flow through arteries. In severe cases, this may result in:

Angina
Heart attack
Stroke
Other serious complications

If you have an inherited form of high cholesterol, cholesterol deposits in the:

Tendons
Under the eyes
Around the cornea

Atherosclerosis

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. These tests are used to measure the cholesterol levels in your blood:

Total cholesterol
HDL cholesterol
LDL cholesterol
Triglycerides

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2026 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.