What Are the Symptoms of Cholesterol Problems? A high level of cholesterol in the blood doesn't have obvious symptoms, but it can increase your risk for conditions that do have symptoms, including angina (chest pain caused by heart disease), high blood pressure, stroke, and other circulatory ailments. Also: Also: Soft, yellowish growths or lesions on the skin called xanthomas may indicate a genetic predisposition to cholesterol problems. Many people who are obese or have diabetes also have high cholesterol. In men, impotence may be caused by arteries affected by excessive blood cholesterol.