Left high cholesterol can cause discoloration of the skin of the feet.
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — High cholesterol can trigger various health problems, including peripheral arterial disease or peripheral artery disease (PAD). One sign of PAD is a change in skin color on the feet.
PAD occurs when plaque cholesterol in the veins impeding blood flow to the extremities, such as the legs. One of the early symptoms of PAD is intermittent claudication which can cause pain, cramps, or discomfort in the legs or buttocks.
Intermittent claudication is muscle pain that appears when the leg moves. This pain will improve after the foot rest.
Intermittent claudication can occur because the blood vessels in the leg area are narrowed or blocked due to plaque buildup in the blood vessels. Apart from intermittent claudication, PAD symptoms can also be seen on the skin of the feet. In people with PAD, the skin on their feet may change color or feel painful when touched.
“Pain, when you rest, is a sign that the blockage of blood vessels that you (experience) is severe,” explained Hopkins Medicine, as reported by ExpressMonday (23/1/2023).
Changes in the color of the skin of the feet in people with PAD can be more visible when the feet are lifted up. According to Hopkins Medicine, the skin on the feet of people with PAD will look pale when raised high, but look red when lowered.
Changes in skin color on the legs or feet usually indicate that blood flow is not smooth due to blocked blood vessels. If left unchecked, this condition can lead to more serious problems.
Limited blood flow to the feet can deprive the muscles in the legs of oxygen and nutrients. This condition will encourage the leg muscles to work harder.
