Elevated cholesterol, or hypercholesterolemia, is a serious condition where there is too much cholesterol, a fatty substance, in the blood.
While it may not seem harmful at first, it can lead to major health risks like heart attacks and strokes if not managed properly. Recognising its dangers is essential for staying healthy.
The build up of cholesterol can lead to blocked arteries, which prevents blood flow and significantly increases the danger of cardiovascular disease – responsible for nearly 18 million deaths worldwide each year.
In the UK, cardiovascular disease is the cause of approximately a quarter of all deaths, reports Surrey Live.
The most troubling aspect of high cholesterol is that it usually doesn’t present any symptoms, causing many cases to go undetected until a related medical emergency arises or it shows up on a test done by a GP. The NHS confirms this, saying “High cholesterol does not usually cause symptoms. You can only find out if you have it from a blood test.” But there are specific signs that, if spotted early, could be lifesaving.
One such sign is the onset of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) – a common affliction where fat deposits in the arteries obstruct the blood supply to leg muscles – a problem the NHS states “restricts” circulation to these muscles.
Whilst PAD might not always present symptoms, it can cause signs that appear in the legs. The NHS has identified six such signs, including hair loss and foot ulcers.
The NHS says: “The symptoms of PAD often develop slowly, over time, If your symptoms develop quickly, or get suddenly worse, it could be a sign of a serious problem requiring immediate treatment.”
Although one of the most common signs is an aching pain when walking.
“The symptoms of PAD often develop slowly, over time,” the health body advises. “If your symptoms develop quickly, or get suddenly worse, it could be a sign of a serious problem requiring immediate treatment.” Among these signs, an aching pain when walking is the most common.
Usually the discomfort subsides after a few minutes rest. The pain can vary from mild to severe and generally eases after resting your legs for a bit. “Both legs are often affected at the same time, although the pain may be worse in one leg,” says NHS. Other symptoms of PAD may include shiny skin and erectile dysfunction.
Additionally, having PAD increases the risk of coronary heart disease, which is the leading cause of death among cardiovascular diseases in the UK.
For those worries about their cholesterol, seeking advice from a doctor is recommended.
To lower your cholesterol levels, the NHS recommends various strategies, they are:
- Eat fewer fatty foods: Especially food that contains a type of fat called saturated fat. Try to eat less fatty meat, lard, butter, cakes or biscuits.
- Try to eat oilier fish, like mackerel and salmon. As well as brown rice, wholegrain bread, nuts, seeds fruits and vegetables.
- Exercise more: Aim to do at least 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of exercise a week. Even walking can help.
- Stop smoking
- Cut down on alcohol: try to avoid drinking more than 14 units of alcohol a week, have several drink-free days each week, and avoid drinking lots of alcohol in a short time.
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