LEAVING your cholesterol levels untreated can lead to critical limb ischaemia – “severely” restricted blood flow to your legs. However, this doesn’t happen without your body ringing alarm bells. An expert has shared the “serious” symptoms which could signal that cholesterol has become “fatal”.

High cholesterol levels can make your feet or legs feel cold or chilly all around the year, even in summers. This may be an indicator that you have PAD, though it does not necessarily mean PAD only. However, if you feel like one leg or foot is cold, but not the other, it could be time to talk to your doctor.

A decrease in the flow of the blood due to high cholesterol can also change the colour of your skin. That’s because the cells are not getting proper nourishment due to decreased flow of blood carrying nutrients and oxygen. Trying to elevate the legs, for example, can lead the skin to look pale, but hanging it from a table can cause the skin to seem purple or bluish.

FOLLOW OUR WHATSAPP CHANNEL

“Low-density lipid cholesterol (LDL) is known as ‘bad cholesterol because high amounts in the blood cause blockages in the arteries and increase the risk of heart problems or a stroke,” said Dr Rodney Foale, Consultant Cardiologist at the Harley Street Clinic, part of HCA Healthcare UK. That’s why it’s important to keep your levels in check as the condition can progress to further issues.

May also Interest You - Open on a "New Tab":

FOLLOW US ON TELEGRAM

High cholesterol is considered the precursor of serious health problems, according to the NHS.

Dr Foale said: “If left untreated, over time high cholesterol can lead to atherosclerosis.

“Arteries become blocked with fatty substances called plaques – which can result in heart attack and stroke.”

This process that leaves your arteries clogged can sometimes lead to “serious, and often fatal problems”, including critical limb ischaemia.

This potentially “fatal” condition could draw attention to the underlying problem – high levels of cholesterol in your blood.

He continued: “Critical limb ischaemia occurs if the blood flow to the legs becomes severely restricted.”

However, this doesn’t occur without symptoms cropping up.

As the condition is triggered by reduced blood flow to your legs, this is the area where symptoms can be spotted.

Dr Foale listed the symptoms of critical limb ischaemia:

A severe burning pain in your legs and feet that continues even when you’re resting
Your skin turning pale, shiny, smooth and dry
Wounds and ulcers (open sores) on your feet and legs that do not heal
Loss of muscle mass in your legs
The skin on your toes or lower limbs becoming cold and numb, turning red and then black, and/or beginning to swell and produce smelly pus, causing severe pain (gangrene).

The expert added: “An angioplasty or bypass graft is usually the recommended treatment, however, in some cases amputation below the knee may be necessary.

“If you think you’re developing symptoms of critical limb ischaemia, you should contact your GP urgently for diagnosis.”

Unfortunately, there are not many warning signs of high cholesterol as red flags usually appear only as the condition progresses.

Dr Foale said: “It is a hidden risk factor, which means it happens without us knowing.

“If they feel you could be at risk, your GP will refer you for a simple blood test to check your cholesterol – this is the only way to know if your cholesterol is too high.

“They will base this 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.”