High cholesterol, which is also known as hypercholesterolemia, is a “silent killer” condition that occurs if you have too much of a fatty substance called cholesterol in your blood. While this may not initially cause any issues, over time it can raise your risk for a number of serious health problems – including heart attacks and strokes.
Cholesterol can build-up in the arteries leading to blockages, preventing blood from getting through. It is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death around the world, causing nearly 18 million fatalities annually.
And in the UK cardiovascular disease is linked to around a quarter of all deaths.
Perhaps most concerningly is the fact that high cholesterol is often a symptomless condition, meaning it can often go by undiagnosed.
Most people will not realise they have high cholesterol until after an associated medical emergency or if they get tested by their GP.
The NHS says: “High cholesterol does not usually cause symptoms. You can only find out if you have it from a blood test.”
However, there are some red flag signs that could prove lifesaving if spotted early.
This includes if you develop a condition called peripheral arterial disease (PAD).
PAD is a common condition where a build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries “restricts” blood supply to leg muscles, according to the NHS.
Again it doesn’t always display symptoms. But it can cause signs that appear in the legs.
Six such signs, as listed by the NHS, are:
- A painful ache in the legs
- Hair loss
- Numbness or weakness
- Ulcers (open sores) on your legs, which do not heal
- Changing skin colour on your legs, such as turning paler than usual or blue
- The muscles in your legs shrinking (wasting).
Hair loss and ulcers could also appear on the feet.
“The symptoms of PAD often develop slowly, over time,” the health body says.
“If your symptoms develop quickly, or get suddenly worse, it could be a sign of a serious problem requiring immediate treatment.”
Of these signs the painful ache when walking is the most common.
It “usually” disappears after a few minutes’ rest, the NHS says.
It explains: “The pain can range from mild to severe, and usually goes away after a few minutes when you rest your legs.
“Both legs are often affected at the same time, although the pain may be worse in one leg.”
Other symptoms of PAD can include shiny skin and erectile dysfunction.
Having PAD is also associated with a greater risk of coronary heart disease, which is the biggest cause of death among cardiovascular disease in the UK.
If you are concerned about your cholesterol levels you should speak to your doctor.
To lower your cholesterol levels the NHS recommends:
- Eating less fatty food
- Eating a healthy balanced diet
- Exercising more
- Stopping smoking
- Cutting back on alcohol.