There are many factors that cause high cholesterol. However, unhealthy diet and sedentary life are among the factors that increase the risk of cholesterol. Although many people in the society have high cholesterol, they are not aware of their disease. Not following the early and correct treatment method for high cholesterol increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
LEGS TAKING BATTLE
Leaving high cholesterol quietly accumulating in your arteries encourages plaque buildup in this area. Apart from cholesterol, plaques contain fatty substances, cellular waste products, calcium and fibrin deposits. When arteries contain too much of this mixture, they thicken and harden. This isn’t good news for your blood flow, your legs take a hit as well, triggering the “first thing to see” sign.
ATTENTION TO PAIN AND CRAMPS
According to the Cleveland Clinic, a lack of blood flowing to your legs can sometimes lead to a “common” condition known as peripheral artery disease, or PAH for short. Fortunately, this triggers warning signs when you move and walk. The “first noticeable symptom” triggered by PAD is leg discomfort, pain, or cramping.
IT REACHES AFTER WALKING
The Mayo Clinic states, “Often this pain occurs in the legs after walking at a certain speed and for a certain amount of time, depending on the severity of the condition.” This pain is not constant at first, it only improves with activity and goes away with rest. Because of this temporary nature, this pain is often referred to as intermittent claudication.
CAN FEEL TIRED
The Mayo Clinic adds: “It begins during exercise and ends with rest. As claudication worsens, pain may occur at rest. It can also make your leg muscles feel lethargic, weak, heavy, and tired.
IT CAN LOCK YOUR LIFE ACTIVITIES
The Cleveland Clinic explains that this red flag sign can be so severe that it prevents you from participating in your usual daily activities, such as “golfing or chasing the grandchildren.”
OTHER CHOLESTEROL SYMPTOMS
Besides pain in your legs, PAD can eventually cause other tell-tale symptoms, including:
burning or aching pain in your feet and toes when resting, especially when lying flat at night
cool skin on your feet
redness or other color changes in your skin
More frequent infections
Non-healing toes and foot sores
CHANGE YOUR HABITS TO LOWER CHOLESTEROL
To lower high cholesterol levels, a cholesterol-lowering diet focuses on reducing your intake of saturated fats, such as cheese, butter, sausage, and biscuits. However, increasing your soluble fiber intake can also help lower your levels.
Other helpful lifestyle changes include reducing alcohol, quitting smoking, and exercising. It also found that people who got less than six hours of sleep each night were more likely to have LDL, the bad cholesterol.