Cholesterol is an essential fat in the body that plays an important role in building cell membranes and producing hormones. However, when blood cholesterol levels exceed the allowable threshold, especially low-density lipoprotein (LDL or “bad cholesterol”), serious health problems can arise. One of the most dangerous consequences of this condition is the formation of atherosclerotic plaques that narrow the arteries, obstructing blood circulation.
Although most people often think of high cholesterol as a factor affecting the heart or brain, in fact, it has significant consequences in an unexpected place: the feet. When blood flow to the lower limbs is limited, the feet can become the first place to signal that the body is in trouble. Pain, numbness, changes in skin, nails, or even sexual function can all be early warning signs of peripheral artery disease (PAD) caused by high cholesterol.
PAD reduces blood flow to the legs, depriving the tissues of oxygen and nutrients, causing discomfort, especially when you exercise. The worrying thing is that PAD symptoms develop silently and gradually, so many people easily ignore them or mistake them for a normal sign of aging.
Signs in the feet that may indicate a risk of high cholesterol
Here are 8 signs to look out for:
1. Pain during exercise
One of the most obvious signs is pain in the legs when you exercise, such as when walking a long distance or climbing stairs. The pain usually subsides when you rest, but if it happens repeatedly, it could be a warning sign you should pay attention to.
2. Feeling numb and weak
You may start to notice that your legs are not as flexible as before. Each step becomes heavy and less flexible. It feels like your legs are “losing strength”, not having enough strength to continue walking, especially after a short distance. This is not just a temporary fatigue caused by exercise, but can be a warning sign that blood is not circulating properly to the muscles and tissues of the legs. When high cholesterol narrows the arteries, the legs are the first place to speak up.
3. Toenail changes
One of the less noticeable, but quite typical signs, is that toenails begin to grow more slowly, becoming brittle and more prone to breaking. Many people think that this is due to age or lack of nutrients, but in fact, the underlying cause often stems from limited blood flow to the tips of the toes. When the nutrients are no longer adequate, the nails also lose the ability to grow normally.
4. Slow-healing wounds
If a small scratch on your foot lasts a week without healing, or heals and then becomes easily infected again, you should be careful. Because at this time, the skin is no longer supplied with enough blood and oxygen to perform its recovery function. Blood carries nutrients and immune cells, once this flow is blocked by cholesterol, the healing process will be delayed, making the wound more persistent and more prone to complications.
5. The skin on the legs becomes shiny and thin
Your body always reflects its health through the skin. On the legs, when blood circulation is not good, you can see the skin begin to become shiny, paper-thin, losing its elasticity and healthy tone. This is the result of a long-term lack of nourishment, causing the skin cells to gradually weaken. This change does not happen suddenly, but if you pay close attention, it is one of the clearest signs.
6. Hair loss on the legs
You may notice that the hair on your lower legs is gradually thinning, or disappearing for no apparent reason. This is a sign that the hair follicles are lacking oxygen and blood, leading to natural hair loss. Although it does not affect motor function, it is a reliable biological indicator that your leg circulation is having problems.
7. Skin color changes
When the blood cannot carry enough oxygen to the skin of the legs, you will notice a change in skin color. Instead of being rosy as usual, the skin becomes pale, or has a light blue tint, or even purple. This is a clear physiological reaction of the body when lacking oxygen and you cannot ignore it. These color changes can appear from time to time, or last silently without you realizing it until it is too late.
8. Erectile dysfunction in men
For men, one of the symptoms that few people think of but is closely related to PAD is erectile dysfunction. When the pelvic arteries are affected by high blood fat, the ability to circulate blood to the penis is also reduced, directly affecting physiological function. This is a subtle symptom, often overlooked or attributed to age, but in fact, it is an important reminder that the circulatory system is having serious problems.
