High cholesterol physical examination: Difference between revisions
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Elevated [[cholesterol]] does not lead to specific physical examination signs unless it has been longstanding. Some types of hypercholesterolemia lead to specific physical findings: | 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):''' | *'''Head, eyes, ears, nose throat (HEENT):''' ''[[xanthelasma|xanthelasma palpabrum]]'' (yellowish patches around the eyelids) and [[arcus senilis]] (white discoloration of the peripheral cornea). | ||
[[Image:Xanthelasma.jpg| | [[Image:Xanthelasma.jpg|Xanthelasma above eye]] | ||
* '''Heart and Lungs:''' [[Congestive heart failure]] and rales due to ischemia or [[myocardial infarction]] (heart attack) | * '''Heart and Lungs:''' [[Congestive heart failure]] and rales due to ischemia or [[myocardial infarction]] (heart attack) | ||
Revision as of 16:12, 25 June 2011
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
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