Uncontrolled high cholesterol can trigger complications.
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — To high cholesterol Uncontrolled can lead to complications of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). If high cholesterol levels are often asymptomatic, PAD can cause several symptoms, including cramps in five areas of the body.
PAD is a disease in which cholesterol or plaque builds up in the arteries where blood flows to the head, organs, and legs. According to the Department of Surgery at the University of California, people with PAD can experience cramps in areas of the body such as the legs, buttocks, thighs, calves, and feet.
Apart from cramping, PAD can also trigger several other symptoms. These symptoms include a weak or absent pulse in the leg area and sores that don’t heal in the big toe or foot area that are difficult or take long to heal. In addition, the skin also looks pale or bluish on the legs.
Some other symptoms are one side of the foot feels colder than the other, poor toenail growth and reduced hair growth on the foot. Erectile dysfunction in men, especially those with diabetes, can also occur.
Apart from the various symptoms that can appear, there are also many people with PAD who do not show symptoms. Therefore, people who often experience recurring leg pain when exercising should see a doctor.
“If doctors suspect PAD, they will first perform a physical examination of your foot,” explains the National Health Service (NHS).
Through the physical examination, the doctor will look for several signs. Some of them are skin that looks shiny, brittle toenails, hair loss on the feet, pulse becomes weak or not felt, and sores on the feet. The doctor will also ask about the patient’s medical history and the patient’s family.
If you want to reduce the risk of PAD, one thing you can do is to keep cholesterol levels normal. Improving diet is one of the efforts that can help control cholesterol levels.
