Urgent warning for Brits to be alert to ‘silent killer’ high cholesterol signs that could lead to AMPUTATION
AN URGENT warning has been issued for Brits to be on alert to high cholesterol warning signs that could lead to amputation.
High cholesterol is a common condition but unusual sensations in your feet, legs and arms could be sounding the alarm to bigger problems.
Cholesterol is a substance found in fats that’s needed to build healthy cells.
Keeping an eye on your cholesterol levels is key and can help lower your risk of heart problems or a stroke.
If cholesterol levels aren't monitored and regulated, the "silent killer" can lead to life-threatening outcomes.
Consequences of high cholesterol includes high blood pressure peripheral arterial disease, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease and stroke.
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When cholesterol gathers in blood vessels, it can cause painful clogging.
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) can eventually develop which will cause discomfort in the hands and feet, affecting daily activities like walking.
Dr Shipra Arya, assistant professor in the division of vascular surgery at Emory University School of Medicine, told PAD is the next "cardiovascular epidemic".
“It is characterised by the same arterial stiffening and plaque formation as heart disease.
What's the best way to lower cholesterol?
Cutting back cholesterol to the levels we were born with reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes by a third, a study found.
There are a number of ways you can cut back, including:
- Maintain a healthy diet which is low in fatty food
- Swap saturated fat for fruit, veg and wholegrain cereals
- Give up smoking
- Take regular exercise
What's an ideal safe level of cholesterol?
The way you can measure blood cholesterol levels is using the unit millimoles per litre of blood (mmol/L).
Your levels of cholesterol should be:
- 5mmol/L or less for healthy adults
- 4mmol/L or less for those at high risk
When it comes to measuring LDLs, the levels should be:
- 3mmol/L or less for healthy adults
- 2mmol/L or less for those at high ris
“When blood flow to the legs is compromised due to these plaques/cholesterol deposits, it can lead to amputations.”
She recommends taking statin to help lower and regulate cholesterol.
Other ways to reduce risks include:
- Reduce saturated fats in your diet
- Eliminate trans fats
- Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as fatty fish
- Increase soluble fibre such as fruits, vegetables and legumes
- Add whey protein
- Exercise
- Quit smoking
Around 40 per cent of Brits are thought to suffer with high, or borderline high cholesterol levels.
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Medications for the condition were previously found to have cost the .
It was yesterday also revealed that your sleep could also be an indicator of high cholesterol.
