03:06 PM
Thursday, April 13, 2023
Books – Sayed Metwally
Left untreated, cholesterol levels can lead to critical limb ischaemia – a “severe” restriction of blood flow to your legs, however, that doesn’t happen without your body showing signs of signs.
And the website of the British Express newspaper revealed serious symptoms that could indicate that cholesterol has become a “killer”.
Dr Rodney Foyle, consultant cardiologist at the Harley Street Clinic, said: “Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is known as ‘bad cholesterol’ because large amounts in the blood clog the arteries and increase the risk of heart disease or stroke. It’s important to keep your levels in check, as they can cause more problems.”
High cholesterol is a harbinger of serious health problems, according to the NHS.
Foyle added: “If left untreated, high cholesterol over time can lead to atherosclerosis, in which arteries become clogged with fatty material called plaque – which can lead to heart attack and stroke.”
This process that leaves arteries clogged can sometimes lead to “serious and often fatal problems”, including critical limb ischemia, and this “fatal” condition may draw attention to the underlying problem – high cholesterol levels.
The doctor continued: “Critical limb ischaemia occurs if the blood flow to the legs becomes severely restricted, however, this does not occur without the onset of symptoms.”
Since the condition is caused by reduced blood flow to your legs, this is the area where symptoms can be spotted.
Dr. Foyle listed the symptoms of critical limb ischemia as follows:
Severe burning pain in your legs and feet that continues even when you are resting
Your skin becomes pale, shiny, smooth and dry
Cuts and sores (open sores) that don’t heal on the feet and legs
Loss of muscle mass in your legs
The skin on your toes or lower extremities becomes cold and numb, turns red and then black, and begins to swell and produce foul-smelling pus, causing severe pain (gangrene).
And the doctor added: “In some cases, amputation below the knee may be necessary. If you think you have symptoms of critical limb ischemia, you should contact your doctor urgently for diagnosis.”
Unfortunately, there aren’t many warning signs of high cholesterol. Serious signs usually appear as the condition progresses. It’s a hidden risk factor, which means it happens without our knowledge.
If the doctor feels you may be at risk, they will refer you for a simple blood test to check your cholesterol – this is the only way to know if your cholesterol level is too high. This will depend on your age, weight, smoking status and, if you have, high blood pressure. Have diabetes, or whether there is a family history of high cholesterol or heart problems.
How to lower high cholesterol
From lifestyle changes to medicine, there are different interventions available to lower your levels.
The key to a cholesterol-lowering diet is to reduce saturated fats, which are found in cheese and crackers for example.
Other lifestyle modifications that can benefit your health include exercising and quitting smoking. However, some people will need to take a medication called a statin to keep their levels in the safe zone and prevent further complications.
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