07:00 pm
Sunday 24 July 2022
I wrote – Shaima Morsi
There are several indicators of cardiovascular disease, and high cholesterol is one of the most important.
High levels of cholesterol in the blood increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
What makes high cholesterol worrisome is that most of the time, it doesn’t show through symptoms or a person’s physical appearance, which is why it’s called the “silent killer,” according to timesofindia.
What does high cholesterol mean?
Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in the blood and needed by the body in order to form healthy cells.
However, high levels of cholesterol lead to fatty deposits in the blood vessels, and this makes it more difficult for blood to flow through the arteries.
Sometimes, these deposits break down, leading to the formation of a clot and subsequently a heart attack or stroke.
It is therefore important to maintain a balanced level of cholesterol in the body, as the accumulation of fat in the arteries causes reduced blood flow to the arms and legs, a condition also called peripheral artery disease (PAD), which causes severe pain.
Therefore, feeling arm pain is an alarming sign of high cholesterol, and if this condition is left untreated, the pain causes the patient to feel cramping when writing or doing other manual tasks.
The UK’s National Health Service says the pain ranges from mild to severe and usually goes away following a few minutes.
What is peripheral arterial disease?
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is caused by a buildup of cholesterol-containing fatty deposits, also known as plaques. This buildup of fat is also called atherosclerosis, which reduces blood flow through the arteries. It is a disease of the arteries of the legs.
Common symptoms include numbness in the legs, painful cramps in one or both thighs, weak or no pulse in the legs or feet and more.
Other common signs to note:
Aside from the painful sensations in the arm, here are some other common signs of PAD:
Numbness or weakness in the legs.
Hair loss in legs and feet.
Slow growing brittle nails.
Sores on your feet and legs that do not heal.
Change in the color of the skin on your legs, such as turning pale or blue.
In men, erectile dysfunction.
Methods of prevention:
Testing for high cholesterol with a blood test, also called a lipid panel or lipid profile, which shows total cholesterol and triglycerides, a type of fat in the blood.
Eating a healthy diet, exercising and getting regular checkups reduce your risk of developing high cholesterol and other cardiovascular diseases.
Eat heart-healthy, oil-free foods, such as nuts and avocados.
Exercise regularly.
– Reduce smoking and reduce alcohol intake.
Avoid sugary and processed foods.
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