High cholesterol symptoms to watch for in hands and feet

Cholesterol often gets a bad rap, yet not all cholesterol should be feared . It's essential to recognize that there are two types of cholesterol - commonly referred to as "good" cholesterol and "bad" cholesterol . Most people know you'd rather keep "bad" cholesterol at bay since it can lead to major health issues like heart disease and stroke.

While high levels of this troublemaker might escape detection, certain bodily signs could suggest the need for a check-up to see if high cholesterol is the culprit. Before we dive into symptoms , let's clarify what cholesterol is and its vital role in your body. Cholesterol is critical for numerous bodily functions that are non-negotiable for survival.



It's involved in hormone production, cell building, aiding digestion, and even converting sunlight into vitamin D, reports Surrey Live . Basically, each of your cells needs it to function and keep you ticking. Cholesterol itself is a fatty substance, waxy and yellowish in nature.

Despite often being associated with dietary sources like red meat, dairy, and eggs, your body is the primary producer of cholesterol. There are two types of lipoproteins ferrying cholesterol through the body: low-density lipoprotein (LDL), often termed "bad" cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), known as "good" cholesterol. Excess amounts of LDL cholesterol in the bloodstream can accumulate inside the blood vessel walls, leading to a possible heart attack or stroke; HDL cholesterol helps remove this "bad" cholesterol from the arteries, transporting it back to the liver and thus lowering the risk of such health crises.

According to the NHS, the odds of having high cholesterol climb if you're over the age of 50, male, postmenopausal, or hail from South Asian or sub-Saharan African backgrounds. It can be hereditary or exacerbated by lifestyle factors like consuming too much fatty food, inadequate exercise, obesity, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Yet, high cholesterol typically has no overt symptoms, and a proper diagnosis generally requires a blood test.

Nonetheless, research has linked cholesterol buildup to certain observable bodily changes. For instance, a 2013 case study highlighted how an individual with high cholesterol levels had difficulty moving his left hand's fourth and fifth fingers due to fatty cholesterol deposits—xanthomas—in the tendons, found through a biopsy. Researchers have recently highlighted a unique case, claiming: "To our knowledge, this case is the first case in the English literature regarding xanthoma leading to restrained motion of the joints.

" This breakthrough discovery details how xanthomas can significantly impact joint mobility. The British Heart Foundation mentions tendon xanthomata as a key symptom to look out for, describing them as "swellings made from cholesterol on the knuckles of your hands, your knees or the Achilles tendon at the back of your ankle". The BHF also cautions individuals to be aware of small, yellow lumps near the inner corner of the eyes (xanthelasmas) and a pale white ring around the iris (corneal arcus).

Regarding high cholesterol concerns, the NHS advises, "Your GP might suggest having a test if they think your cholesterol level could be high," which could be based on factors such as age, weight, or other conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes. Discovering elevated LDL cholesterol levels isn't cause for alarm. Not only are medications available, but lifestyle adjustments like healthy eating and increased physical activity can profoundly lower harmful cholesterol.

Dr Sarah Berry, lead scientist at Zoe, a science and nutrition firm, and an authority in cardio-metabolic health at King's College London, believes "the right diet [can] improve your cholesterol as much as medication". Nutrition experts often single out one particular food to cut back on to help prevent soaring "bad" cholesterol levels. "Adding foods that lower LDL, the harmful cholesterol-carrying particle that contributes to artery-clogging atherosclerosis, is the best way to achieve a low cholesterol diet," Harvard Health advised.

They suggest kicking off your day with a simple bowl of oatmeal. Oats pack a punch of soluble fiber, which tackles high cholesterol by latching onto it in your gut, preventing it from entering your bloodstream and instead helping you get rid of it. Opt for oats that are as unprocessed as possible – steer clear of the instant varieties.

Heart UK, the cholesterol charity, also recommends cutting down on saturated fats and swapping them for unsaturated ones to bring down those cholesterol numbers. Saturated fats are found in foods like butter, lard, ghee, fatty meats, and cheese. DAILY NEWSLETTER: Sign up here to get the latest news and updates from the Mirror US straight to your inbox with our FREE newsletter.

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