Cholesterol is an essential fat (lipid) in the body, participating in the formation of cell membranes, hormones and vitamin D. However, when the concentration of bad cholesterol (LDL) in the blood exceeds the limit, it will accumulate in the artery walls, forming atherosclerotic plaques.
This accumulation not only affects the heart but also reduces blood flow to the arms, legs and other organs. When blood circulation to the legs is impaired, the patient may begin to feel many abnormal signs. And these may be the first warnings of peripheral artery disease (PAD) caused by high cholesterol.
What signs on the feet warn of high cholesterol?
1. One leg feels cooler than the other
When high cholesterol causes plaque buildup in the arteries, blood flow to the legs can be significantly reduced. As a result, one leg (usually the one that is more severely affected) may feel cooler than the other. This feeling is more noticeable when resting or at night. This is an early warning sign of poor circulation, which increases the risk of foot ulcers or gangrene if left unchecked.
2. Slow or underdeveloped toenails
When the blood supply to the feet and toes is not getting enough oxygen and nutrients, nail growth is affected. The person may notice that the toenails become thin, brittle, grow more slowly than normal, or even become deformed. This is a silent sign that the blood supply is no longer sufficient to maintain local cell function.
3. Unusual Foot Color Changes
A change in skin color, such as a purple, blue, or pale color on the feet and toes, can be a sign of poor blood circulation. This unusual color may be more apparent when standing for long periods of time or when the legs are elevated, reflecting a lack of oxygen to the tissues. If not treated early, this condition can lead to skin necrosis and chronic ulcers.
4. Non-healing foot or toe ulcers
When blood does not circulate effectively to the foot area, the healing process is severely delayed. A small scratch on the foot can progress to a large, slow-healing ulcer that is susceptible to infection and has the potential to spread to surrounding tissue. In the later stages, the patient may face the risk of gangrene and amputation if not treated properly.
5. Weak or Absent Pulses in Legs or Feet
During a physical exam, your doctor will check for a pulse in places like the top of your foot or behind your ankle. If the pulse is weak or absent, it means that blood flow to that area has been severely reduced. In some cases, your doctor may use a Doppler ultrasound device to accurately assess the extent of blood flow blockage.
Causes of Leg Damage from High Cholesterol
Cholesterol is an essential fat for the body, but when the amount of bad cholesterol (LDL) in the blood increases too much and gets out of control, it begins to deposit on the artery walls. This is the foundation for peripheral artery disease (PAD), a condition in which blood flow to the legs is severely restricted.
In the elderly or people with unhealthy lifestyles, high cholesterol is often accompanied by other factors such as:
- Smoking: Nicotine and toxic substances in cigarettes damage the lining of blood vessels, accelerating the process of plaque accumulation.
- High blood pressure: Causes continuous pressure on the blood vessel walls, creating conditions for cholesterol to adhere.
- Diabetes: Damages microvessels and accelerates inflammation in the artery walls.
- Overweight – obesity: Increases the amount of circulating blood fat, leading to increased bad cholesterol.
- A diet high in saturated fat, fried foods, and low in fiber: Contributes to increased LDL and decreased HDL (good cholesterol).
- Lack of exercise: When muscles are inactive, the body has difficulty breaking down lipids effectively, causing more cholesterol to accumulate.
These factors combine to cause the blood vessel walls to gradually lose elasticity, the lumen of the blood vessels to narrow, leading to blood not being able to circulate effectively to the limbs, especially the legs.
How to prevent leg damage caused by high cholesterol?
Preventing damage caused by high cholesterol not only helps protect the legs, but is also the key to protecting overall cardiovascular health. Some important measures include:
1. Adjust your diet
Increase soluble fiber (found in oats, beans, apples, avocados, etc.) to help eliminate excess cholesterol.
Limit saturated fat and trans fats (often found in fried foods, fast food, industrial cookies).
Prioritize good fats from salmon, olive oil, flaxseed, walnuts.
Drink enough water and eat lots of green vegetables to increase fat metabolism.
2. Exercise regularly
Just walking briskly for 30 minutes a day, at least 5 times a week, can help reduce bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol. In addition, exercise also helps improve blood circulation to the legs, reduce the risk of foot ulcers and effectively lose weight.
3. Quit smoking, limit alcohol
Smoking narrows arteries rapidly and destroys the protective layer inside blood vessels. Alcohol can disrupt lipid metabolism. Cutting out these two habits is a top priority in preventing high cholesterol and protecting your feet.
4. Use medication if necessary
In some cases, despite eating a healthy diet and exercising, cholesterol levels still do not decrease. In this case, your doctor may prescribe lipid-lowering drugs (such as statins) to reduce the risk of complications, especially in people with underlying medical conditions.
