Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is essential for the body to form cell membranes, some hormones, and vitamin D. Because cholesterol is fat-soluble, meaning it doesn’t dissolve in water, it needs the help of lipoproteins to move through your bloodstream.
The two main types of lipoproteins are LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol.
- LDL cholesterol: High levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), also known as “bad cholesterol,” lead to a diagnosis of high cholesterol. When LDL cholesterol levels are too high, fatty deposits can start to build up in your blood vessels, causing a host of other problems. This is because plaque buildup reduces blood flow throughout your body, especially to your heart and brain.
- HDL cholesterol: Not all cholesterol is bad. High-density lipoprotein (HDL), often called “good cholesterol,” helps absorb LDL cholesterol, taking it back to your liver for elimination from your body. High HDL cholesterol levels can actually reduce your risk of CAD, blood clots, heart disease, and stroke.
Symptoms of high cholesterol
High cholesterol often has no symptoms until an emergency occurs. The only way to know if you have high LDL cholesterol is through a blood test. If cholesterol is left untreated, plaque builds up over time, damaging your heart and putting you at risk for a heart attack or stroke.
Cholesterol is known as a silent killer, and levels are often more severe by the time people notice any symptoms.
However, there are some early signs of high cholesterol that can help you catch it early. Aside from chest pain, which is one of the most common ways to detect it, other symptoms include the formation of yellow nodules as well as fatigue. It is important to note that high cholesterol can be hereditary, and if you have a family history of the condition, it is important to get tested regularly.
What are the signs of high cholesterol in your feet?
Being overweight or having body fat is often identified as a sign of high cholesterol. However, some warning signs can appear in other parts of the body, such as the legs. PAD, or peripheral artery disease, is a condition in which the arteries that supply blood to the legs are blocked, and some of the arteries that supply blood to the legs may be affected.
Common signs in the legs:
1. Leg pain
One of the most common signs of PAD is leg pain. When the arteries in your legs are blocked, your lower body does not receive the oxygen-rich blood it needs. As a result, your legs may feel heavy and tired. A burning sensation in the lower legs is the most common complaint of people with high cholesterol. People can feel discomfort in their legs or any area of their legs, from their calves to their thighs or buttocks. The most common cause is engaging in physical activities such as running, walking, and climbing stairs. This pain usually goes away when you relax, but it may return when you start moving your legs again.
2. Cold Feet and Legs
Even in the summer, high cholesterol levels can cause your feet or legs to feel cold or chilly throughout the year. This can signal that you have PAD, but it doesn’t always mean that you only have PAD. However, it may be time to see a doctor if one leg or foot feels cold but the other doesn’t.
3. Atrophy of the Calf Muscles
Patients with advanced PAD may notice that their calf muscles are shrinking or atrophying. High cholesterol can cause poor blood circulation, reducing the number and size of muscle fibers. Muscle atrophy occurs when the limbs are deprived of oxygen and nutrient-rich blood.
People with severe PAD can lose more than half of the muscle fibers in the affected area, and the remaining muscle fibers often atrophy or shrink.
4. Skin color changes:
High cholesterol can also cause reduced blood flow, which can affect the color of your skin. This is because cells are not getting the proper nutrition because blood flow, which carries nutrients and oxygen, has decreased. For example, elevating your legs can make your skin look brighter, but hanging your legs can make your skin look purple or blue.
5. Foot ulcers
A foot ulcer is an open wound or sore that has not healed. If left untreated, these ulcers can continue to grow. Poor circulation is the most common cause of this condition. When an ulcer does not heal or heals slowly, it can be a sign that the blood supply to your legs is being restricted due to high cholesterol. Because their feet become worn and painful, people with PDA will find it difficult to move far or quickly. Foot ulcers can heal without further problems if treated promptly.
6. Nighttime cramps
Another common sign of high cholesterol damaging the arteries in your lower extremities is severe leg cramps while you sleep. The problem gets worse when you sleep at night. When you sleep, people with PAD may experience cramps or spasms, most often in the heel, forefoot, or toes. The pain can be relieved by sitting or elevating your legs off the bed, which allows gravity to help blood flow to your feet.
