HIGH cholesterol is often the result of an accumulation of poor lifestyle decisions. For a small number of people, it can be genetically predetermined – this group has a higher risk of death at an early age. There are two telltale signs on your face that can signal you’re genetically predisposed to high cholesterol.
High cholesterol means you have too much of a fatty substance called cholesterol in your blood. It’s mainly caused by an accumulation of unhealthy lifestyle decisions, such as being overweight and drinking alcohol. However, for an unlucky few, high cholesterol is genetically predetermined. This condition is called familial hypercholesterolaemia.
Familial hypercholesterolaemia is caused by a gene alteration that’s passed down from one or both parents.
“People who have familial hypercholesterolaemia have a higher risk of heart disease and death at a younger age,” warns the Mayo Clinic.
According to the health body, two signs of the genetic condition can show up on your face.
Xanthelasma
Xanthelasma is one of the most common symptoms of high cholesterol linked to your eyes.
It’s a yellowish area around the eyes or near the nose caused by a buildup of cholesterol under the skin on your face.
While the flat or somewhat raised yellow area does not affect your vision, it can be commonly seen surrounding the eyes of those with high levels of cholesterol.
The symptom is most common in females, those who are overweight, smokers or those with diabetes and around half of those with xanthelasmas have dangerous levels of cholesterol.
Retinal Vein Occlusion
A Retinal Vein Occlusion is when the vein that supplies blood to the retina, the tissue in the back of your eye, becomes blocked with fatty cholesterol deposits.
Blood and fluid spill out into the retina, the retina swells and affects your vision.
The retinal artery can also become blocked, which can cause an eye stroke. The dangerous condition can cause the death of nerve cells resulting in severe temporary vision loss until your cholesterol problem is under control.
Both a Retinal Vein Occlusion and a Retinal Artery Occlusion are painful, cause blurry sight in one eye and can lead to floaters – dark spots or lines affecting your vision.
While some eye issues can be indications that you may have a cholesterol problem, a doctor can only diagnose high cholesterol levels with a blood test.
If you are noticing some of the eye-related symptoms of high cholesterol it may be time to book a blood test with your doctor.
