High cholesterol is a condition in which you have too many lipids (fats) in your blood. It’s also called hyperlipidemia or hypercholesterolemia.
Your body needs just the right amount of lipids to function. If you have too many lipids, your body can’t use them all. The extra lipids start to build up in your arteries. They combine with other substances in your blood to form plaque (fatty deposits).
You may develop fatty deposits in your blood vessels if you have high cholesterol. These deposits build up over time, making it hard for enough blood to flow through your arteries. Once in a while, those stores can break unexpectedly and structure coagulation that causes a coronary episode or stroke.
Mild Issues That Your Body Urging You To Check High Cholesterol
These are some issues that you are giving hints to check the high cholesterol.
1. Swelling on the knuckles
This medical term means swelling on the knuckles of hands, knees, and ankles which happens due to high cholesterol.
These are the cholesterol deposits in the tendons of these regions and are mostly seen in those who have a family history of cholesterol.
2. Cold feet
Your legs become numb and cold as a result of an elevated cholesterol level in the blood. You are mistaken to believe that this is how your body responds to seasonal change.
Summer is also a time when people with high cholesterol suffer from cold feet. Contact your doctor if this problem continues for a long time.
3. Skin discoloration
Due to fatty deposits, blood flow to certain parts of the body is obstructed. It is because of this certain cells do not get sufficient oxygen and nourishment and in these regions the skin gets discolored.
Do not ignore this sign and visit a doctor immediately.
4. Unbearable pain in legs
Unexplainable pain in the lower limbs is most likely due to high cholesterol. This mostly happens as the flow of oxygen to the lower limbs is limited due to cholesterol.
This discomfort is intermittent in nature and often goes away after one rests.
5. Painful cramps
This happens mostly during the night when you are asleep.
The cramps cause unbearable pain in the toes and heel. While one gets relief quickly by dangling feet from the bed, the regular occurrence of this should not be ignored.
Prevention
The same heart-healthy lifestyle changes that can lower your cholesterol can help prevent you from having high cholesterol in the first place. To help prevent high cholesterol, you can:
- Eat a low-salt diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
- Limit the amount of animal fats and use good fats in moderation
- Lose extra pounds and maintain a healthy weight
- Quit smoking