High cholesterol symptom causes 'severe' pain - and you should never ignore it

08 October 2023 , 16:32

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High cholesterol can cause 'severe' pain in parts of the body (stock photo) (Image: Getty Images)

Having high cholesterol can be deadly if it is left untreated. A person with high cholesterol has too much of the fatty substance in their blood which can build up in the arteries, causing them to become obstructed. This makes it a major risk factor for life-threatening illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, which increases the chances of suffering a stroke or a heart attack.

Many people with high cholesterol don't even know their levels are too high until it's too late and it's known as a "silent killer" because of the way it can strike without you ever knowing you've got it. October marks Cholesterol Awareness Month so there's no better time to get clued up on the fatty substance, as there are some warning signs you can look out for.

According to the Daily Record, one symptom of high cholesterol could be keeping you up at night and causing you "severe" pain. So, if you often find yourself suffering with intense pain in your feet, you might want to take a look at your diet.

The Department of Surgery at the University of California claims that pain in the feet can be caused by high cholesterol because the fatty substance can block blood supply to the body part. This condition is known as Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI) and it can reduce blood flow to your hands and feet, potentially creating ulcers and sores, and giving you nasty pains.

Experts said: "CLI is a severe obstruction of the arteries which markedly reduces blood flow to the extremities (hands, feet, and legs) and has progressed to the point of severe pain and even skin ulcers or sores. CLI is a very severe condition of peripheral artery disease (PAD) and needs comprehensive treatment by a vascular surgeon or vascular specialist."

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The pain caused by CLI can wake you up or prevent you from falling asleep at night, as it often strikes when you're lying down. You can, however, relieve some of the pain by hanging your leg over the bed or getting up and walking around for a few moments to allow your blood to flow freely again.

In order to prevent the threat of high cholesterol, you must first get tested for the condition, which can be done via a finger-prick test or by taking blood from your arm. There are also steps you can take in order to lower your cholesterol levels, and the NHS states that dietary changes may be vital.

Eating a balanced diet can help reduce your cholesterol levels, and according to Heart UK, you can also make improvements by swapping foods high in saturated fats with those with unsaturated fats, such as oily fish, avocados, nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils such as olive oil.

Zahna Eklund