Cholesterol in and of itself does not cause pain. However, when your cholesterol levels rise above healthy levels, it can contribute to heart disease, stroke and a number of other diseases. These conditions are what cause the pain, an indication that your cholesterol levels may be too high. Another source of pain related to cholesterol can be the medications, primarily statins, you take to reduce it.
Heart Disease
High cholesterol puts you at higher risk for developing heart disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Heart disease is often the result of atherosclerosis, a disease in which plaque -- a substance formed of cholesterol, fat and calcium -- builds along the walls of your arteries. When plaque blocks the coronary artery, the blood vessel leading to your heart, you may experience chest pain. In some cases, plaque can rupture and cause blood clots. This can block blood flow to your heart, resulting in a heart attack. Symptoms include a heaviness or pain in your chest that goes away and returns, or pain in your arms, jaw, neck, back or stomach.
Stroke and Peripheral Artery Disease
Pain associated with either of these conditions is not as common as pain with a heart attack, but it can occur. When atherosclerosis blocks your carotid artery, the artery leading to your brain, your risk of stroke increases. Although numbness, weakness and vision problems are most common, you may experience a sudden headache for no apparent reason. Peripheral artery disease occurs when the arteries leading to your arms, legs and pelvis become blocked. You may find that walking becomes difficult to to a heaviness in your hips and legs. Pain is also common after being active too long. This pain usually subsides with rest, but it may return shortly, depending on how severe your condition is.
Statins
Although statins are the most commonly prescribed medications for lowering cholesterol, they have their drawbacks. The most common side effect of these drugs is muscle tenderness or pain, which can be mild or debilitating. In rare cases, statins are responsible for rhabdomyolysis, a potentially fatal condition. Severe muscle damage, liver damage, kidney failure and even death can result. Rhabdomyolysis causes severe muscle pain; therefore, if you experience muscle pain or weakness that does not subside shortly after starting a statin, notify your doctor immediately.
Prevention
No one likes pain and wants to prevent it at all cost. In this situation it is imperative and may be a matter of life or death. Prevention begins with lowering your cholesterol. Go for regular cholesterol screenings to ensure your cholesterol is within a healthy range. Have a physical exam at least once a year, and tell your doctor about any problems no matter how big or small. Eat a diet high in fiber, focusing on fruit, vegetables and whole-grains. Exercise a minimum of 30 minutes a day, even if it's a walk around the block. Limit your fat intake -- reduce your red meat consumption, increasing your intake of white-meat poultry and fish. Finally, lose weight if necessary. Obesity increases your risk of high cholesterol, heart attack and stroke.
References
- American Heart Association: Warnings of Heart Attack, Stroke and Cardiac Arrest
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute; What Is Atherosclerosis; December 2009
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; High Cholesterol: Understand Your Risks; February 2011
- MayoClinic.com; Statin Side Effects: Weigh the Benefits and Risks; October 2010
