Medical Dialogues

6 UNUSUAL SYMPTOMS OF HIGH CHOLESTEROL SEEN IN FEET AND LEGS

Usually, high cholesterol is a systemic problem that affects the body as a whole, including the cardiovascular system. But occasionally, having high cholesterol might cause symptoms that are noticeable in the legs and feet.
Here are a few odd signs that lower extremities affected by elevated cholesterol could experience:
XANTHOMAS
Fatty deposits accumulate beneath the skin and give the appearance of orange or yellowish lumps. Xanthomas can appear on the legs, ankles, and feet, especially in the vicinity of tendons and joints.
CLAUDICATION
Leg pain or cramping, especially during physical exercise, is the defining feature of this disorder. It happens because there is less blood supply to the muscles, frequently as a result of high cholesterol-related atherosclerosis.
GANGRENE
Tissue death (gangrene) in the feet and legs can occur in severe PAD cases or when cholesterol accumulation seriously damages the arteries. Tissue necrosis, a bad smell, and blackened or discoloured skin are some of the signs of gangrene.
NON-HEALING WOUNDS
Lower extremity blood flow reduction can hinder the body's ability to repair wounds, resulting in ulcers or sores on the feet and legs that either do not heal at all or heal very slowly.
PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY
Prolonged high cholesterol can cause symptoms including tingling, numbness, burning feeling, and weakness by damaging the nerves in the feet and legs.
PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE
Atherosclerosis, a disorder in which fatty deposits accumulate in the arteries and obstruct blood flow, can be brought on by high cholesterol. Leg pain, cramping, weakness, and numbness are among the symptoms of peripheral artery disease (PAD), which frequently affects the arteries in the legs. Severe PAD can cause ulcerations and tissue damage in the legs and feet.