Named one of the main symptoms of high cholesterol

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High cholesterol in the body increases the risk of heart disease due to blockage of arteries. When the amount of this substance in the blood remains in an unhealthy range, peripheral artery disease can develop, causing problems with the legs.

According to experts at Harvard Health, one of the most common symptoms is leg pain. “At first, it is most unpleasant when the leg is raised, especially in bed at night. But, if the disease progresses, the pain can become constant and will pass even during rest,” explained the Harvard Medical School.

Sometimes due to high cholesterol levels, fat accumulations known as xanthomas appear on the skin. Most often, they occur on the Achilles tendon, the study says. Xanthomas look like slowly enlarging papules or subcutaneous nodules.

In most cases, a blood test is needed to detect high cholesterol, since there are usually no obvious symptoms of the condition. Indications for the analysis are the patient's age, weight or the presence of another disease, the NHS explained.

Cleaning the blood vessels from “bad” cholesterol can help not only drugs, but also lifestyle changes. According to the Mayo Clinic, one of the most important countermeasures is to reduce the consumption of saturated fats, which are found in large quantities in red meat and full-fat dairy products.