High cholesterol does not have any particular symptom. In many cases, high cholesterol only causes the emergency events. For instance, in many cases, a person usually notices fatty bump in their skin and body that are white or grayish in color.

According to the National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute, these symptoms usually occur in a person, who has the family history of high cholesterol.

Genetic Conditions

There is a condition that passes through the genes that causes high cholesterol and called Familial hypercholesterolemia. People with this condition, have the cholesterol levels of 300 mg/dl or higher. They may experience xanthoma, which can appear as a yellow patch above skin, or lump underneath the skin.

Heart Attack

The arteries that supply the heart with the blood can slowly narrow due to buildup of plaque. This process is known as atherosclerosis that happens slowly over the time & has no symptoms. Eventually, a piece of plaque breaks-off, and when this happens, a blood clot forms around plaque. This can block the flow of blood to the heart muscle & deprive it of oxygen & nutrients.

Peripheral Arterial Disease

Peripheral Arterial Disease can occur, when the plaque builds up in walls of the arteries. This will block blood flow in arteries that supplies the blood to kidneys, stomach, arms, feet & legs.

Symptoms of early Peripheral Arterial Disease include:

• Aches
• Cramping
• Fatigue
• Discomfort in legs & feet
• Pain in legs during activity/exercise called intermittent claudication

Genetic Reasons

• Fatty food
• Not exercising enough
• Being overweight
• Smoking
• Drinking alcohol