However, this disease often has no obvious symptoms in the early stages, causing many people to be subjective. Below are 7 silent warning signs that the body may be having problems with blood fat, based on medical research.
Yellow tumors appear on the skin
Xanthomas are small, soft, yellow bumps that appear on the skin, especially on the eyelids, elbows, or knees. They are a sign of cholesterol buildup in the skin tissue. According to a study in the British Journal of Dermatology, xanthomas are often associated with high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease.
Chest pain or tightness
Angina is a warning sign that your coronary arteries are narrowed by a buildup of cholesterol plaque. It is a common symptom of heart disease caused by high cholesterol, according to the American Heart Association. The pain can radiate to your arms, neck, or back and is often triggered by activity or stress.
Numbness or tingling in the limbs
High blood fats can clog blood vessels in the limbs, reducing blood flow and causing numbness or tingling. This often happens in people with very high triglycerides, leading to peripheral artery disease, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) explains.
Dizziness and fatigue of unknown origin
When blood vessels in the brain become narrowed or blocked by cholesterol, blood flow to the brain is reduced, causing dizziness or persistent fatigue. Research from the European Heart Journal highlights that this is an early warning sign of a stroke or transient ischemic attack.
Blurred vision or changes in vision
High cholesterol can damage the small blood vessels in the eye, causing yellow spots on the retina or impaired vision. This condition is called cholesterol retinopathy, and is often associated with uncontrolled high cholesterol levels.
High blood pressure
High blood pressure often accompanies high cholesterol, as cholesterol plaques harden and narrow the arteries, forcing the heart to work harder to pump blood. The WHO warns that high blood pressure and high cholesterol are a “dangerous duo” that increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Unusual weight gain, especially in the abdominal area
High blood lipids are often associated with metabolic syndrome, which includes abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, and elevated triglycerides. Abdominal fat is a clear sign of lipid imbalance in the blood and is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Effective advice for blood lipid control:
Maintain a healthy diet: Limit foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol, and increase foods rich in fiber such as green vegetables, fruits and whole grains.
Exercise regularly: Move for at least 30 minutes a day to boost fat metabolism and improve blood circulation.
Regular health check-ups: Get a blood lipid test at least once a year, especially if you have risk factors such as obesity or family history.
