High cholesterol prognosis and complications

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Elevated cholesterol does not lead to specific symptoms unless it has been longstanding. Some types of hypercholesterolemia lead to specific physical findings: xanthoma (thickening of tendons due to accumulation of cholesterol), xanthelasma palpabrum (yellowish patches around the eyelids) and arcus senilis (white discoloration of the peripheral cornea).

Longstanding elevated hypercholesterolemia leads to accelerated atherosclerosis; this can express itself in a number of cardiovascular diseases:

• Angina pectoris, leading to PTCA or CABG
• Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
• Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)
• Cerebrovascular accidents/Strokes
• Peripheral artery disease (PAD)