02:00 PM
Sunday 18 September 2022
Books – Syed Metwally
Leaving cholesterol levels untreated can lead to critical limb ischemia – a “severe” restriction of blood flow to your legs, however, this doesn’t happen without your body showing signs.
And the British newspaper Express website revealed serious symptoms that could indicate that cholesterol has become a “killer.”
“Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is known as the ‘bad cholesterol’ because large amounts in the blood clog the arteries and increase the risk of heart disease or stroke,” said Dr. Rodney Foyle, Consultant Cardiologist at Harley Street Clinic. 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 can over time lead to atherosclerosis, arteries becoming clogged with fatty substances called plaques – which can lead to heart attack and stroke.”
This process, which leaves the arteries sometimes blocked, can 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.
“Critical limb ischemia occurs if blood flow to the legs becomes severely restricted, however, this is not without symptoms,” the doctor continued.
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 persists even while at rest
Your skin becomes pale, shiny, smooth and dry
Wounds and sores (open sores) that do not heal on the feet and legs
Loss of muscle mass in your legs
The skin on your toes or lower limbs becomes cold and numb, turns red and then black, and begins to swell and produce foul-smelling pus, causing severe pain (gangrene).
The doctor added: “In some cases, a below-knee amputation 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 your doctor feels you might 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, high blood pressure, if you 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 various interventions available to lower your levels.
The key to a cholesterol-lowering diet is to reduce the saturated fats 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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