Most people think they would notice if something was wrong with their heart health. You might pay attention to your energy, your breathing, or how you feel after a meal — but rarely your face.
Yet the body has a way of leaving small hints in places we don’t usually inspect closely, and some of those hints can appear long before you ever feel unwell.
When cholesterol becomes silent
High cholesterol is widely known for progressing without discomfort. The condition builds slowly as fatty particles accumulate in the bloodstream, and for many, it remains undetected until a routine test — or a serious event — exposes the problem.
Researchers from the British Heart Foundation note that a large part of the population unknowingly carries elevated levels because the early stages feel entirely normal.
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In a small number of cases, however, cholesterol can leave visible marks. These clues don’t cause pain or affect vision, but they can act as a warning that the body is storing more fat in the blood than it should.
Here are two facial signs experts highlight as possible indicators:
- small yellowish patches near the inner corner of the eyelids
- a pale circular ring that gradually forms around the coloured part of the eye
What these signals may mean
The yellow patches — known medically as xanthelasma — appear when cholesterol particles collect under the skin.
They are not dangerous in themselves but often occur alongside raised cholesterol or metabolic conditions such as diabetes.
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The pale ring, called corneal arcus, develops when fatty deposits accumulate along the edge of the cornea.
It doesn’t harm vision, but specialists at the Mayo Clinic advise that adults who notice this ring should have their cholesterol levels checked.
Steps that can reduce risk
Health organisations including the NHS emphasise familiar measures such as limiting saturated fat, being physically active, reducing alcohol and avoiding smoking.
These habits help keep the bloodstream free of excessive cholesterol and lower the risk of heart attack and stroke.
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The article is based on information from Chroniclelive and BHF
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This article is made and published by Mie Hermansen, who may have used AI in the preparation.