Hypercholesterolaemia warning: How leg pain could signal serious risk

Elevated cholesterol levels in the blood can lead to severe conditions. Patients with hypercholesterolaemia initially do not experience any symptoms, but over time, symptoms may appear that are noticeable while walking. What warning signs should concern us?

Elevated levels of unfavourable LDL cholesterol in the bloodstream cause atherosclerotic plaques to deposit in the walls of the arteries. This causes the blood vessels to narrow, which hinders proper blood flow in the body.

Doctors have long warned that untreated hypercholesterolaemia significantly increases the risk of developing peripheral artery disease, coronary heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.

A patient with dyslipidaemia may not feel any ailments for a long time. Often, the first visible signal of clogged arteries and the development of atherosclerosis is pain in the lower limbs and discomfort while walking.

In such a situation, the patient complains of unusual symptoms, such as cramps muscle fatigue in the legs, and a dull pain in those parts of the body. Pains related to intermittent claudication do not always occur—they only appear during physical exertion. The intensity of these symptoms depends on the level of physical activity. Muscle pain subsides within a few minutes of rest.

However, discomfort returns when we move again, for example, during a walk. Other symptoms of excess cholesterol, which disrupts the proper functioning of peripheral arteries, are cold feet, reddened skin, and hard-to-heal ulcers on the feet and toes.

The patient may also feel foot pain while lying down and resting. If we notice the mentioned symptoms that do not go away on their own or worsen, we should consult a specialist as soon as possible and perform appropriate blood tests.