The ‘first noticeable’ sign that cholesterol is dαngєrσuslч clogging your arteries
Cholesterol, also known as a waxy substance, can often silently wreak havoc in your arteries, triggering health problems such as heart disease and strokes.
When there is too much cholesterol in your blood, it starts accumulating in your arteries and can lead to some bodily signals which should not be ignored. One such tell-tale sign can strike in your legs.
High cholesterol left untreated can cause plaque buildup in your arteries. Plaque is consisted of cholesterol and other fatty substances, and its accumulation in your arteries can narrow them. Thus, disrupting the smooth flow of blood in your body. The first visible sign is most commonly seen in legs which is most commonly known as peripheral artery disease (PAD).
Leg spasms are a warning sign
Leg spasms or cramps are likely to be the first symptom of peripheral artery disease. These happen due to sudden involuntary muscular contraction or convulsive movement.
It can feel like a clenched muscle that is very uncomfortable and painful. PAD can also present with intermittent claudication, which is pain and discomfort in your leg muscles that happens when you’re active and stops when you rest. This is usually caused by blood flow problems, which could be resulting from plaque-clogged arteries.
How to identify your cramps are a sign of PAD
Pain or discomfort in the legs can develop due to multiple causes. However, leg pain can often be identified as being PAD-related if it develops with activity, goes away with rest, and comes back when you resume activity. Intermittent claudication can also make your legs feel numb, weak, heavy, or tired.
While it is most likely to strike in your calves, this pain can also travel to your thighs and buttocks. The pain can be severe enough to limit your ability to participate in physical activities.
Ther warning signs of PAD
- Coldness in the lower leg or foot, especially when compared with the other side
- Leg numbness or weakness
- No pulse or a weak pulse in the legs or feet
- Painful cramping in one or both of the hips, thighs or calf muscles after certain activities, such as walking or climbing stairs
- Shiny skin on the legs
- Skin colour changes on the legs
- Slower growth of the toenails
- Sores on the toes, feet or legs that won’t heal
- Pain when using the arms, such as aching and cramping when knitting, writing or doing other manual tasks
- Erectile dysfunction
- Hair loss or slower hair growth on the legs.
In cases that show high cholesterol, consult your doctor immediately, and start taking necessary measures such as cutting saturated fat from your diet, eating lot of green vegetables, seasonal fruits, fish that are high in Omega-3 fatty acids. Limit your salt and alcohol consumption. You can lower cholesterol with at least exercising five days a week. These lifestyle changes can do wonders to your health, and you will definitely see the results.
Source:timesofindia.indiatimes.com , express.co.uk
