"One of the most common signs of high cholesterol in the legs is a condition called claudication. This occurs when the blood vessels in the legs become narrowed or blocked due to the build-up of cholesterol and other substances. As a result, leg pain or cramping can occur during physical activity, such as walking.
Increased risk of leg pain and numbness
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a complication that can develop when the arteries in your legs get too narrow due to buildup from high cholesterol levels. PAD can cause numbness and tingling in your legs or feet.
When you have higher cholesterol levels, plaque can build up in your arteries, causing them to narrow. Called atherosclerosis, this narrowing can lead to Peripheral Arterial Disease, a condition in which hardened leg arteries limits blood flow to your legs and feet. With PAD, walking may be painful.
The more conditioned your legs become by walking, blood circulation improves and pain reduces over time. Apart from this, PAD risk reduction is similar to that of having a heart-friendly lifestyle.
High cholesterol has no symptoms. A blood test is the only way to detect if you have it.
With PAD, you may develop leg cramps, especially when you walk or exercise. Other symptoms include changes to the appearance of your leg skin—it could look shiny, waxy, or blue in color. You may lose your leg hair, or it may grow much more slowly. Your feet may also be cool or cold to the touch.
How does high cholesterol cause leg pain? High cholesterol can cause problems with circulation throughout the body, including the legs, by blocking or limiting blood flow in the arteries in the extremities. This is known as Peripheral Arterial Disease, or PAD.
The sensation of heavy legs, also known as venous insufficiency, is related to poor circulation. It occurs when blood flow from the legs to the heart is impaired, causing the heaviness.
Symptoms. There are no symptoms of high cholesterol unless the condition is severe. In such cases, fat deposits can form in tendons and skin or even cause severe stomach pain due to an enlarged liver or spleen.
Can High Cholesterol Make Me Tired? No, high cholesterol doesn't usually cause fatigue, but it can lead to heart diseases, such as coronary artery disease, that do. With this heart condition, excess LDL builds up as plaque in your heart's small arteries, causing them to narrow and stiffen.
The main risk from high cholesterol is coronary heart disease, which can lead to death from a heart attack. If your cholesterol level is too high, cholesterol can build up in the walls of your arteries.
While you may have no obvious signs early on, symptoms can develop as plaque builds up in the arteries. The hardening and narrowing of the arteries is called atherosclerosis. It may result in chest discomfort, called angina, dizziness, or excessive sweating.
The narrowing of the arteries causes a decrease in blood flow. Symptoms include leg pain, numbness, cold legs or feet and muscle pain in the thighs, calves or feet. The arteries which supply blood to the leg originate from the aorta and iliac vessels.
High cholesterol early symptom: Spasms or leg cramps could be the first noticeable sign of clogged arteries.
A person is considered at high risk for developing heart disease if their total cholesterol level is higher than 240 mg/dL, LDL levels are higher than 160 mg/dL (190 mg/dL is even higher risk), and if the HDL level is below 40 mg/dL.
The main symptom of a cholesterol bump is the appearance of a waxy, yellowish bump on the skin. Cholesterol bumps may increase in size over time. They may appear as a single bump or in clusters.
Painful fingers and toes can be a warning sign of high cholesterol. Accumulation of cholesterol in the vessels of the legs and hands can cause painful sensation in the limbs. A tingling sensation in the toes and fingers is also another symptom commonly associated high levels of cholesterol.
"If you have white or yellow lumps near the eyelids or nose this could be a sign of high cholesterol," Dr Rachel told The Sun. "These are called xanthelasma deposits and can be an indication that you have high cholesterol," she explained.
Related Articles. But Dr Sami Firoozi, consultant cardiologist at the Harley Street Clinic, told Huffington Post that there's a sign of the condition that can show in people's toes. Toenails that grow slowly or are brittle are a warning sign that someone has high cholesterol.
High cholesterol doesn't usually cause any symptoms, including weight gain. In fact, despite the association of high cholesterol with weight gain, underweight and healthy weight people can also have the condition. But having overweight or obesity increases the risk of high cholesterol.
As a general guide, total cholesterol levels should be: 5mmol/L or less for healthy adults. 4mmol/L or less for those at high risk.
The worst foods for high cholesterol, given their high saturated fat content, include: Red meat, like beef, pork, and lamb, as well as processed meats like sausage. Full-fat dairy, like cream, whole milk, and butter. Baked goods and sweets.