Warning Sign of High Cholesterol: Pain in the Feet
Key Highlights :
High cholesterol can have a serious impact on health and can cause a warning sign that is easily overlooked. Cholesterol Awareness Month in October is a great time to learn about the warning sign of high cholesterol, which is pain in the feet. The Department of Surgery at the University of California states that pain in the feet can be caused by high cholesterol, as it blocks blood supply to the body part. This condition is known as critical Limb Ischemia (CLI) and can cause severe pain, ulcers, and sores. It can also wake you up at night or prevent you from drifting off.
In order to stave off the threat of high cholesterol complications, it is important to get tested for high cholesterol. There are two ways to do this: a blood test or a finger-prick test. If the results show high cholesterol, a doctor or nurse can advise on how to lower it. This may include making dietary changes or taking medication.
Replacing foods high in saturated fats with those containing unsaturated fats is a great way to help lower cholesterol. Foods high in saturated fats include fatty cuts of meat, butter, and lard, while unsaturated fats can be found in vegetable oils, avocado, nuts, seeds, and oily fish. Coconut oil is often thought of as a healthy option, but it is made up almost entirely of saturated fat and can cause the same health problems.
High cholesterol is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and can cause serious issues like strokes and heart attack. While the condition may go unnoticed until it is manifested into serious heart disease, sufferers may notice subtle signs like pain in the feet. Therefore, it is important to get tested for high cholesterol and make dietary changes to keep levels low and reduce the risk of heart disease.