High blood cholesterol is a condition that affects many people. It’s not just a matter of aesthetics, but above all, a matter of health. High cholesterol levels can trigger serious circulatory system diseases, such as arteriosclerosis, stroke, or myocardial infarction.

One of the first symptoms observed in most people with excessively high cholesterol is pain and discomfort in the legs, especially when walking. What does this mean and how can we address it?

Causes of High Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a waxy substance essential for the proper functioning of the body, participating in the structure of cell membranes and the production of hormones, vitamin D, and bile.

However, excess cholesterol is harmful because it accumulates on the walls of arteries, narrowing them and preventing proper blood flow.

The causes of high cholesterol can vary and include:

– A diet high in saturated fat, cholesterol, and simple sugars, and low in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

– Lack of physical activity, which helps burn excess calories and improves heart and blood vessel function.

– Tobacco smoking, which damages the vascular endothelium and increases the risk of blood clots.

– Alcohol abuse, which raises blood pressure and overloads the liver.

– Obesity, which contributes to insulin resistance and inflammatory states in the body.

– Diabetes, which alters glucose and fat metabolism, in addition to damaging blood vessels.

– High blood pressure, which increases the strain on the heart and blood vessels, damaging their walls.

– Liver, kidney, and thyroid diseases, which affect cholesterol production and metabolism.

– Genetic factors, which may predispose to familial hypercholesterolemia or other lipid disorders.

Health Consequences of High Cholesterol

High cholesterol is dangerous to your health as it can lead to arteriosclerosis, a disease characterized by the buildup of cholesterol plaques on the artery walls. This can cause several other conditions, such as:

– Coronary artery disease, which results in decreased blood flow to the heart muscle and can lead to a heart attack.
– Stroke, caused by decreased blood flow or bleeding in the brain.
– Peripheral artery disease, primarily in the lower extremities, manifesting as pain, numbness, coldness, ulcers, or gangrene of the skin.
– Aortic aneurysm, a dilation and weakness of the wall of the body’s largest artery, which can rupture and cause internal bleeding.
– Pulmonary embolism, a blockage of the pulmonary artery by a clot that can cause shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, cyanosis, or death.

Intermittent Claudication: A Sign of High Cholesterol in the Legs

One of the symptoms that may indicate high cholesterol and the development of arteriosclerosis in the arteries of the lower extremities is intermittent claudication. It manifests as pain, fatigue, or numbness in the legs, especially the calves, when walking.

The pain increases with exertion and requires stopping and resting. After a while, the pain disappears, and you can continue walking until the pain returns.

The distance you can walk without pain is called the intermittent claudication distance and is a measure of the severity of ischemia in the extremities.

Intermittent claudication is caused because narrowed arteries cannot supply sufficient oxygen and nutrients to the working leg muscles. As a result, the muscles switch to anaerobic metabolism, causing the buildup of lactic acid and other substances that irritate pain receptors. Therefore, intermittent claudication is a sign that the leg arteries are affected by arteriosclerosis and require treatment.

Intermittent claudication can be very bothersome and limit daily activity and quality of life. Furthermore, if not properly diagnosed and treated, it can progress and lead to more serious complications, such as ulcers, infections, gangrene, or even the need for limb amputation.

Other symptoms of high cholesterol

In addition to intermittent claudication, high cholesterol may be associated with other symptoms, such as:

– Chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, or irregular heartbeat, which may indicate coronary artery disease or a myocardial infarction.

– Headache, dizziness, speech, vision, or movement disorders, which may be signs of a stroke.

– Yellow spots on the eyelids or iris, called xanthelasmas or xanthomas, which are composed of cholesterol and may be visible to the naked eye.

– White spots on the cornea, called corneal arcus or gerontoxon, which are also related to cholesterol buildup in the eye.

– White rings around the carotid arteries, known as Monckeberg’s sign, caused by calcification of atherosclerotic plaques.

– White spots on the nails, called Mees spots, which may be the result of peripheral embolism caused by cholesterol clots.

Conclusion: The Importance of Awareness and Preventive Action

In conclusion, high cholesterol is a silent but potentially dangerous condition that affects a large portion of the population and has the power to significantly alter quality of life and long-term health.

Intermittent claudication, along with other symptoms associated with high cholesterol, should not be underestimated, as they are early signs of serious circulatory problems that could lead to much more severe conditions if left untreated.

This overview highlights the critical importance of prevention through lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a balanced diet rich in fiber and low in saturated fats and simple sugars, engaging in regular physical activity, avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption, and maintaining a healthy weight. Furthermore, early detection through regular medical checkups that include blood cholesterol levels is essential, especially for those with genetic or lifestyle risk factors.

Becoming aware of the impact of high cholesterol on our health and implementing preventative measures are key steps toward a longer, healthier life. It’s not just a matter of survival, but of living well, with the ability to fully enjoy our lives without the limitations imposed by preventable diseases.

Cardiovascular health depends largely on our daily choices and habits; therefore, every step we take today toward a healthier lifestyle is an investment in our future well-being.

Taking preventative action against high cholesterol is not only a way of taking care of our own bodies, but also a show of love and respect for those who depend on us and want to have us in their lives for many years to come. Health is a precious gift, and it is our responsibility to maintain it.