High cholesterol: six signs on the legs that warn of a dangerous condition

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Cholesterol itself is not dangerous for the human body. However, high levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) can be a health hazard. The substance is capable of clogging arteries and causing them to become blocked. This, in turn, increases the risk of a heart attack.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) develops when arteries are damaged, which leads to a lack of oxygen and nutrients. If the blood flow in the lower extremities is disturbed due to high cholesterol, certain symptoms may appear in the legs.

Symptoms of high cholesterol in the legs with ZPA:

• Painful spasms while walking;
• Numbness, weakness, or heaviness;
• Slow growth of toenails;
• Cold feet or toes;
• Ulcers on legs, that do not heal, reports the Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS) on its Instagram page;
• Discoloration of the skin on the legs or feet.

The only accurate way to know if the level is high LDL cholesterol – give blood for analysis. If the diagnosis is confirmed, the doctor will suggest some lifestyle changes. Nutrition plays a key role. According to the charity Heart UK, the best approach is to reduce your intake of saturated fat and replace it with unsaturated fat.

Saturated fat is found in many foods, both sweet and savory. Most of them enter the body from meat and dairy products. Sources of unsaturated fats are vegetable oils, such as olive, sunflower, corn, rapeseed, nut and seed oils, avocados, nuts and seeds, fatty fish.