Symptoms of High Cholesterol: Don’t ignore these signs of discomfort in the legs, they can be warning signs of high cholesterol
1. Warning Signs in the Legs
Excess weight or body fat are usually identified as indicators of high cholesterol. However, some warning signs may appear in other parts of the body, such as the legs. Peripheral arterial disease, or PAD, is the blockage of arteries in the extremities, and some of the arteries that may be affected can supply blood to the legs. As a result, it is important not to ignore these symptoms and seek medical attention if you notice them.
2. Cold feet and legs
High cholesterol levels can cause your feet or legs to feel cold or chilly throughout the year, even in summers. This can be an indicator that you have PAD, although it doesn’t necessarily just mean PAD. However, if you feel that one leg or foot is cold but not the other, it may be time to talk to your doctor.
3. Change in skin color
A decrease in blood flow due to high cholesterol can also change the color of the skin. This is because the cells are not receiving adequate nourishment due to the decreased flow of nutrients and oxygen carrying the blood. Trying to elevate your legs, for example, can cause the skin to look pale, but hanging it on a table can make the skin look purple or bluish.
3. Pain
One of the most common symptoms of PAD is pain in the legs. When the arteries in the legs become blocked, oxygen-rich blood doesn’t reach the lower body. It has the potential to make your leg feel heavy and tired. Most people with high cholesterol experience burning pain in their lower limbs. The pain can occur anywhere in the leg, from the calf to the thigh or buttock, and in one or both legs. This is most commonly caused by physical activities such as walking, jogging, and climbing stairs. This discomfort usually goes away when you rest, but may return when you start moving your legs again.
4. Cramps during the night
Intense leg cramps when you sleep is another common symptom of high cholesterol levels that damage the arteries in the lower limbs. The condition worsens at night while you sleep. People with PAD may experience cramps or spasms when they sleep, most often in the heel, forefoot, or toes. Dancing the foot out of bed or sitting may be the option to get relief from it, which allows gravity to help blood flow to the feet.
5. Ulcers that do not heal
Leg or foot ulcers are unhealed or open wounds. Without treatment, these types of ulcers can continue to recur. This condition is most often caused by poor circulation. Ulcers that do not heal or heal very slowly may signal that high cholesterol is cutting off blood flow to the legs. People with PDA can’t walk far or fast because of their tired and painful legs. If treated early, leg ulcers can improve without causing further complications.
6. Atrophy of the calf muscles
People with advanced PAD may experience atrophy, or a reduction in the size of their calf muscle. Lack of adequate blood flow due to high cholesterol can lead to a decline in the number and size of muscle fibers. As the limbs become deprived of nutrient-rich blood and oxygen, the muscles begin to wither away.
According to experts, those with severe PAD may lose more than half of their muscle fibers in an affected area, and the remaining muscle fibers tend to atrophy or shrink in size.
6. Cholesterol should always be checked
The silent killer, high cholesterol should always be kept under control.
Once high cholesterol has been diagnosed, dietary and lifestyle changes should be made in order to lower the level of low-density lipoprotein or bad cholesterol.
Normally, the low density lipoprotein level should be less than 70 milligrams per deciliter.
Source:timesofindia.indiatimes.com, krishijagran.com
