High cholesterol on its own doesn’t produce symptoms. The only way to know whether your cholesterol levels are too high is to have your cholesterol checked at least every five years—more often if you’re older or have an elevated risk of high cholesterol or heart disease. If you experience symptoms like chest pain while you’re exercising, shortness of breath, dizziness, or an irregular heart beat, schedule an appointment with your physician to rule out high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and other conditions associated with an increased risk of heart disease.