Hypercholesterolemia physical examination

Elevated cholesterol does not lead to specific physical examination signs unless it has been longstanding. Some types of hypercholesterolemia lead to specific physical findings:


 * Head, eyes, ears, nose throat (HEENT):

xanthelasma palpabrum (yellowish patches around the eyelids):

and arcus senilis (white discoloration of the peripheral cornea):


 * Heart and Lungs: Congestive heart failure and rales due to ischemia or myocardial infarction (heart attack)


 * Extremities:
 * Xanthoma (thickening of tendons due to accumulation of cholesterol)
 * Reduced femoral, posterior tibial, and dorsalis pedis pulses and femoral bruit due to peripheral artery disease (PAD)


 * Neurologic exam: Signs of either transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) or cerebrovascular accidents/Strokes