Top 10 Signs of Excess Cholesterol That Can Affect Your Legs

You might feel a cold or cooler sensation when touching your feet or legs. This could be a sign of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), though it's not the most noticeable or distinctive symptom. Cold feet are relatively common, especially as people age, even in the absence of PAD. However, if one leg feels consistently colder than the other, it's a good idea to consult a doctor.

For people with high cholesterol, their feet often feel icy or cool to the touch, even after exercise in warm weather. This happens because blood flow to the feet is restricted, preventing proper warmth regulation. Though it's important to note that cold feet can also be caused by aging or individual body conditions, it's worth keeping an eye on.

For those in the later stages of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), reduced blood flow to the legs can result in non-healing sores. This occurs due to ischemia (lack of blood supply), but the condition can improve rapidly with prompt medical attention. These sores often appear brown or black in color and can be painful. (Diabetes also causes foot ulcers, but these usually aren't painful due to nerve damage associated with the disease.)

The lack of blood circulation makes even small wounds on the legs difficult to heal. They may turn a dark purple or black color due to clotting and insufficient blood flow to promote healing.

This is not a common symptom of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), but the condition can sometimes lead to erectile dysfunction. The internal iliac arteries are crucial for supplying blood to the penis for an erection.

If a large number of these arteries become blocked, erectile dysfunction can occur. While it's rare for PAD to directly cause erectile dysfunction, it can happen if you don't maintain good health and take care of your body.

For men, high cholesterol can significantly affect erectile function. During sexual activity, inadequate blood flow to the inner thighs and genital area can prevent the penis from receiving enough stimulation to become erect. Regular cholesterol checks are important.

If you experience numbness or weakness in your legs while at rest, this could be a sign of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). Even with regular walking or exercise, PAD can worsen the condition.

Numbness in the legs can cause a loss of sensation in one or both feet, including the toes. Depending on the cause, this numbness may be temporary or persist. For instance, numbness after sitting for a long time usually goes away once you move your legs and feet. However, numbness due to an underlying medical condition can be dangerous.

Especially when lying down to rest, your legs may feel numb, tingly, or heavy, and in more severe cases, you may experience pain while moving.

Calf muscle atrophy is a common sign of advanced Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), meaning your calf muscles have shrunk in size. Some may mistakenly think calf atrophy is a genetic condition, but it actually results from insufficient blood flow to the legs, which leads to a reduction in muscle fibers and muscle size.

In some cases, individuals may have excess body weight, but their legs appear disproportionately small compared to their body. This is not a genetic issue, but rather a consequence of calf muscle shrinkage. When blood circulation is inadequate, the number of muscle fibers decreases, causing the muscles to shrink.

Statistics show that around 80% of people with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) will not experience severe symptoms, with most only having mild signs. However, in some rare cases, individuals may face much more severe symptoms. In the final stages of the disease, one alarming sign that can appear on the legs is tissue necrosis, which poses a serious threat to both the appearance and health of the affected leg. It can even be life-threatening.

If PAD reaches a severe stage, tissue necrosis may require amputation of the affected limb. To reduce the risk of this condition, it's essential to stop smoking, adopt a healthy diet, and maintain proper nutrition.

In the most severe cases, among the 20% of individuals with high cholesterol and accompanying coronary artery disease or heart failure, tissue necrosis can lead to gradual amputation of the lower limbs.

Some individuals with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) may show no symptoms at all. This condition often affects people over the age of 50, smokers, and those with diabetes. To maintain healthy cholesterol levels, it's important to live a balanced lifestyle, focusing on proper nutrition.

Annual cholesterol testing is a simple procedure included in general health check-ups. A total cholesterol test measures four types of fats in the blood: total cholesterol, HDL (good cholesterol), LDL (bad cholesterol), and triglycerides (fatty cells in the blood). High levels of triglycerides and LDL are concerning, so it's crucial to adjust your diet and lifestyle to stabilize your cholesterol levels.

Leg pain is a very common symptom of high cholesterol, causing discomfort in the legs for those affected. The condition leads to blocked arteries, restricting blood flow to the legs.

Some people experience a heavy, aching sensation in their legs, with pain in the calves, thighs, or buttocks, sometimes affecting both legs. The pain can recur, especially after walking long distances, so it's essential to incorporate proper rest periods.

Due to restricted blood flow, the legs don't receive sufficient oxygenated blood, causing pain. This pain can be felt in the calves, thighs, or radiate to the buttocks. Some people may not feel intense pain but experience fatigue or heaviness in their legs, especially when lying down or sitting for long periods.

While sleeping, individuals with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) may experience muscle cramps or spasms, commonly in the heels, big toes, toenails, and foot area.

This happens because the legs aren't receiving adequate blood flow or nutrients, leading to symptoms like hair loss on the legs or slow hair regrowth after shaving. The skin may become paler and lose its elasticity. It's possible for these skin and nail symptoms to occur simultaneously.

Many people with high cholesterol often experience nighttime cramps in their ankles, heels, or calves when lying down or resting in bed. To alleviate the pain, try elevating your feet, gently shaking or moving your foot, or placing a pillow under your legs. These actions can help relieve the discomfort.

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) can lead to noticeable changes in the color of the skin and nails, particularly on the legs. When you lift your feet, the skin may appear paler as blood flow to the legs is restricted. As you move your legs, the skin can turn red or purple as blood vessels dilate to improve circulation. People with PAD often experience pale or slightly blue toes and feet due to insufficient blood flow.

Researchers have found that abnormalities in foot skin color, especially in the feet—where blood flow is usually the weakest—are easy to detect in individuals with high cholesterol. When seated, their feet and toes may appear pale or even bluish, while elevating their feet can cause the skin to turn purple or red. This color change is due to the altered blood flow to the legs.

Because of the lack of blood reaching smaller blood vessels, the skin and nails may appear pale and dull, while the face often looks flushed and sweaty. This happens because the blood, restricted from reaching the lower body, tends to flow upward toward the upper body. Toenails may become thick, rough, and grow very slowly. Healthy, fast-growing nails indicate good blood circulation, free from high cholesterol.