Little known symptoms of high cholesterol. You’ll notice it on your calves

Too high cholesterol (hypercholesterolaemia) is the bane of our time. Worse, when it accumulates in the vessels, it does not produce symptoms. Until there is so much of it that it hinders everyday functioning. Unpleasant ailments related to too high cholesterol are often felt in the legs, including the calves. What should alert you?

1. The higher the concentration of cholesterol in the blood, the greater the risk of death from cardiovascular diseases, mainly heart attack
2. About 20 million Poles may have hypercholesterolemia. Most do nothing to lower their cholesterol levels too high
3. The consequence of too high cholesterol in the blood is atherosclerosis, which in turn leads to PAD. Symptoms may appear around the calves
4. It is also known that high cholesterol negatively affects the tendons, including the strongest ones – Achilles tendon
5. You can find more such stories on the Onet homepage.

When does high cholesterol show symptoms?

Cholesterol is essential for staying healthy, but when there is too much cholesterol it can be very dangerous. Virtually everyone knows about it. The problem is that cholesterol build-up in your blood vessels does not give you a warning sign, symptoms only appear when levels are already dangerously high.

Another bad news is that up to 20 million Poles may have excessively high cholesterol (data for 2020), and most do nothing to lower it. – Most Poles still disregard hypercholesterolaemia because it does not cause any symptoms for a long time. Many people feel well and do not see the need to undergo treatment – emphasizes prof. Jankowski from the Institute of Cardiology Collegium Medicum of the Jagiellonian University in Krakow.

Meanwhile, the higher the concentration of cholesterol in the blood, the greater the risk of death from cardiovascular diseases and, above all, from a heart attack. It is also a higher likelihood of stroke and atherosclerosis that lead to these diseases. Moreover, the effect of too high cholesterol is also PAD (Peripheral arterial disease) – a disease of the peripheral arteries. Symptoms of PAD vary depending on the location of the lesions, but they often affect the legs, including the calves. So do problems with the tendons, which are also a result of hypercholesterolaemia. What symptoms should prompt you to see a doctor as soon as possible?

Symptoms of too high cholesterol: cramps, burning sensation in the calves

People with peripheral arterial disease may experience muscle cramps in one or both calves especially after certain activities such as walking or climbing stairs. The cramps can also affect the thighs (or one), the buttock area, and the feet. All of this could indicate narrowing or obstruction of the arteries caused by severe atherosclerosis.

As peripheral arterial disease progresses, symptoms may persist while you rest and lie down, including sleep. In such a situation, you may find relief in placing your leg so that it hangs over the edge of the bed (gravity will help blood flow).

In addition to cramps, a sign of developing PAD is a feeling of heavy, tired legs, some report sharp pain or even a burning sensation in the calves.

Developing PAD may also indicate numbness or weakness in the legs, including calves. “Some patients say their legs are getting weaker and feel like giving up, some feel numb,” says Dr. Schneider, noting that when not only walking or exercising, but also resting, symptoms tend to indicate a more severe form of PAD.

Symptoms of too high cholesterol: problems with the Achilles tendon

Too high cholesterol can cause problems with the tendons, including the strongest tendon, the Achilles tendon (which connects the calf with the heel bone). The condition is known to be associated with inflammation and pain in the tendons and also increases their susceptibility to injury. Symptoms of problems with the Achilles tendon caused by the inflammation mentioned above include: pain felt when climbing stairs, heel pain after exercise, swelling in the heel.

However, this is not the end – too high cholesterol can also have a negative impact on the very structure of the tendons. Scientists theorize that cholesterol deposits can lead to changes that weaken the tendons, manifested, for example, in the incorrect thickness of the Achilles tendon.

If you have any of these symptoms or are at risk, consult your doctor.