When High Cholesterol Becomes Dangerous: Signs You Should See a Doctor

25. Poor Vision: The Ocular Connection

Beyond the yellowish rings around the cornea, high cholesterol can subtly affect your vision in other ways. Cholesterol can build up in the tiny blood vessels that supply the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. This can lead to a decrease in blood flow, which can cause blurred vision or a general loss of visual acuity. These changes are subtle at first and often go unnoticed, but they can be a significant sign that your cardiovascular system is compromised. A visit to an ophthalmologist can help determine if your vision changes are related to high cholesterol.

26. Unexplained Weight Gain: The Metabolic Link

While weight gain itself can contribute to high cholesterol, a sudden and unexplained increase in weight can also be a subtle sign of high cholesterol. High cholesterol is a metabolic disorder, and when your body's ability to metabolize fats and sugars is impaired, it can lead to weight gain. This is a vicious cycle: high cholesterol can cause weight gain, and weight gain can cause high cholesterol. If you are struggling with unexplained weight gain, it's worth investigating the health of your arteries and the efficiency of your metabolism.