Cholesterol develops without symptoms for the first few years. What if a sign at the level of the hands allowed you to be alerted? We tell you more.
Too high cholesterol
A high level in the blood is called hypercholesterolemia. Hypercholesterolemia evolves slowly over several years, “in silence, which makes it difficult to perceive the symptoms”, explains Dr. Monika Wassermann in the columns of the English newspaper l’Express . However, high cholesterol has health consequences.
Risk of clogged arteries
Cholesterol gradually causes a loss of elasticity of the arteries and reduce their diameter. We then speak of atherosclerosis which increases the risk of heart attack, stroke or arteritis. We think that 12 million French suffer from an excess of LDL cholesterol (known as bad cholesterol).
New sign on the nails
“High cholesterol causes plaques to build up in your blood vessels. These affect blood circulation, resulting in pale nails,” observes Dr. Monika Wassermann. Brittle and slow growing nails could also be associated with a high cholesterol.
Blood test to confirm
It’s a blood test with a lipid profile which will allow poser the diagnostic of hypercholesterolemia. In the absence of a cardiovascular risk factor, this blood test is recommended from the age of 50 for men and 60 for women.