The UKHSA warned that many people are “completely unaware” they are living with this dangerous condition
Brits have been alerted to potential warning signs of a dangerous health condition that “many” are “completely unaware” they’re living with. It’s estimated that approximately two in five UK adults are affected by elevated cholesterol levels, though many remain oblivious to their condition.
High cholesterol, medically termed hypercholesterolaemia, develops when excessive amounts of a fatty substance called cholesterol accumulate in the bloodstream. Without proper treatment, this can cause arterial blockages, potentially triggering life-threatening emergencies including heart attacks and strokes.
Numerous risk factors contribute to this condition, including lifestyle habits such as consuming fatty foods, insufficient physical activity, excess weight, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Nevertheless, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has emphasised that many sufferers remain “completely unaware” of their condition because it rarely presents with noticeable symptoms.
The only way to definitively determine whether you have high cholesterol is through blood testing. Despite the lack of symptoms, there are certain things to look out for if you think you have high cholesterol.
Initially, you should consider that you’re at increased risk of developing elevated cholesterol if:
- You are aged 40 or above
- You are overweight
- Elevated cholesterol or cardiac conditions are prevalent in your family history
Nevertheless, if you do suffer from high cholesterol due to hereditary factors, known as familial hypercholesterolaemia, you may exhibit visible indicators of elevated cholesterol levels, according to the British Heart Foundation (BHF). These include:
- Tendon xanthomata – cholesterol swellings on the knuckles of your hands, your knees or the Achilles tendon at the back of your ankle
- Xanthelasmas – small, yellow cholesterol lumps near the inner corner of your eye
- Corneal arcus – a pale white ring around the coloured part of your eye, your iris
In addition, some high cholesterol warning signs can actually manifest in the feet and legs. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a condition caused by fatty deposits building up inside your arteries that often concentrate in the feet.
This means that changes to the features of your feet and legs could be a sign of both PAD and high cholesterol. Symptoms of PAD include:
- Pain
- Ulcers
- Gangrene
- Hair loss on your legs and feet
- Numbness or weakness in the legs
- Brittle, slow-growing toenails
- Ulcers (open sores) on your feet and legs, which do not heal
- Changing skin colour on your legs, such as turning pale or blue
- Shiny skin
- In men, erectile dysfunction
- The muscles in your legs shrinking (wasting)
There are several ways you can reduce your chances of high cholesterol. These include:
- Cutting down on fatty foods like meat pies, butter and cakes
- Eat more foods with unsaturated fat, such as salmon, wholegrain bread, fruit and vegetables
- Exercise for at least two and a half hours a week
- Stop smoking
- Cutting down on alcohol
If you experience any of the potential signs listed above or you are concerned about your cholesterol levels you should speak to your GP.