Lumps and bumps under your skin that could be signs of deadly high cholesterol
Health experts say lumps and bumps under your skin could be a sign of the silent killer high cholesterol.
Two types of fat are found in the bloodstream to make sure everything is running correctly, and to supply energy and stop the body from getting too cold. But, certain fats - such as cholesterol - can lead to heart attacks and strokes. 'Bad' cholesterol brings an increased risk of heart attacks and should be less than 130mg/dl. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is the opposite and is "good" cholesterol which reduces heart attack risks.
A good cholesterol level ranges from 140 to 200mg/dl; but if it reaches 300, the heart attack risk more than doubles.
High cholesterol levels can increase heart attack risks (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Symptoms
High cholesterol symptoms are not common unless they are severe. But if you have lumps and bumps under your skin it can be a signal. In such cases, fat deposits form in tendons and skin. They are even known to cause severe stomach pain because of an enlarged liver or spleen. Cholesterol issues can be genetic and inherited, but also a result of diet and lifestyle.
Diagnosis
Cholesterol levels are measured by a blood test. These will be more accurate if a patient has not eaten anything for at least 12 hours.
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Treatment
Reaching an ideal cholesterol level can be as simple as making lifestyle changes, such as:
- Reducing saturated fat in the diet
- Eating more fruit and vegetables
- Eat more such fibre which can be found in vegetables, legumes, oatmeal, and oat bran
- Exercise regularly
- Reach an ideal weight
- Stop smoking
- Drink a small amount of alcohol daily (two drinks)
These measures should be effective at reducing cholesterol, otherwise drugs may be prescribed.
A clogged artery is often caused by high cholesterol levels (Getty Images/iStockphoto)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. Another 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 is known as Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI) and can reduce blood flow to your hands and feet, potentially creating ulcers and sores, and giving you nasty pains.
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