Cholesterol is a type of fat that is a part of every cell in the body, and according to the Mayo Clinic, is a vital component for healthy development. High cholesterol levels result in arteriosclerosis, or fatty deposits in the blood vessels, that eventually can block the flow of blood to the arteries. High cholesterol is a preventable condition that can be treated with dietary changes and medication.
Angina
Angina is an effect of high cholesterol characterized by chest pain that feels like severe pressure. Angina is caused by the restricted blood flow to the heart muscles that is created by the blockage of the arteries from cholesterol build-up. Angina can be a recurring condition that is particularly evident during exercise or other physical exertion, or present as a sudden, new pain, which is usually a signal that a heart attack is occurring.
Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease occurs when the major arteries that supply the heart with oxygen, blood and nutrients become clogged with plaque, usually caused by high cholesterol. Eventually the blocked arteries cause chest pain or shortness of breath, which can then lead to a heart attack. Coronary artery disease is not always detectable by symptoms until the condition is far advanced, making regular cholesterol checks all the more important.
Heart Attack
As the levels of cholesterol continue to rise, more serious effects of high cholesterol occur, such as heart attack. Blood flow to the heart is interrupted by a complete blockage in an artery and within a short period of time, can cause permanent heart damage. There are a number of symptoms that vary from person to person that can indicate a heart attack. In addition to severe chest pain, many heart attack victims experience shooting pain down the arms, shortness of breath, nausea, sweating and lightheadedness.
Stroke
Arteries that carry blood to the brain also can become clogged with cholesterol, say doctors at the Mayo Clinic. When the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the brain is interrupted because of blocked arteries, a stroke can occur. Strokes rarely have any warning signs but often are characterized by stumbling and lack of coordination, aphasia, or trouble speaking and numbness on one side of the body. Vision often becomes blurred during a stroke and victims often experience a severe and sudden headache.
Cancer
Studies done by researchers at the National Institutes of Health have found other diseases that may be caused in part by elevated levels of cholesterol in the blood. Alzheimer's disease, a neurodegenerative form of dementia, has been linked to high cholesterol levels and often is successfully treated with cholesterol-lowering medications. Other research at the government health care organization has linked high cholesterol levels to various forms of cancer.
