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Most patients with high cholesterol levels have no specific symptoms or signs. The vast majority of patients with lipid abnormalities are detected by the laboratory, either as part of the workup of a patient with CVD or as part of a preventive screening strategy. Extremely high levels of chylomicrons or VLDL particles (triglyceride level above 1000 mg/dL or 10 mmol/L) result in the formation of eruptive xanthomas (Figure 28–1) (red-yellow papules, especially on the buttocks [eFigure 28–2]). High LDL concentrations result in tendinous xanthomas on certain tendons (Achilles, patella, back of the hand [eFigures 28–3, 28–4, 28–5]). Such xanthomas usually indicate one of the underlying genetic hyperlipidemias. Lipemia retinalis (cream-colored blood vessels in the fundus) is seen with extremely high triglyceride levels (above 2000 mg/dL or 20 mmol/L).
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