More than a quarter of Irish adults aged 50 and over suffer from both high blood pressure and high cholesterol, according to research carried out by the Irish Heart Foundation.
These are two major risk factors for a heart attack or stroke, and while many people are being treated for their cholesterol levels, there are likely thousands of others who remain undiagnosed.
For many, the condition goes unnoticed and can only be detected by a blood test specifically looking at your levels, however, there are potential signs on your hands and feet that act as an early warning.
High cholesterol is caused by a build-up of the fatty substance in your blood, which can in time clog the blood vessels of legs and hands.
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Therefore, the first sign that people should be aware of is an ongoing pain in the hands and feet.
Another early warning sign is a continuous tingling sensation felt in these body regions - this could indicate your levels are dangerously high.
Small, yellow, flesh-coloured or red bumps which are soft could also indicate high cholesterol levels, and the American Academy of Dermatology Association says these bumps can appear on the elbows, joints, tendons, knees, hands or feet.
These bumps are sometimes very small, while others can be larger than three inches in diameter.
They are usually caused by deposits from high cholesterol, but they can also be a sign of other serious health issues such as pancreatitis.
A study published in the International Journal of Medical Engineering and Informatics, looked at how unusual creases found on the hands could be an indication of high cholesterol levels.
N.R. Shanker of the Sree Sastha Institute of Engineering and Technology and colleagues says they have developed a non-invasive way to test levels in patients at increased risk of heart disease.
They created a large database of cholesterol levels recorded using standard blood tests and linked to a standardised photograph of the hand for each patient.
The reason for this is that cholesterol is concentrated in the creases of one's fingers, and so fatty deposits of cholesterol called xanthomas can appear there and can range from very small to up to three inches in size.
Although getting a blood test is a reliable way of determining cholesterol levels, the Indian researchers have proven that the presence of different total levels of cholesterol can also be revealed through image analysis of the skin.
Many people won’t experience any of these warning signs, but can still be at risk of high cholesterol. You should contact your GP to schedule a blood test if you are in any doubt about your health.
READ MORE: The 'smelly' warning sign that could mean your cholesterol levels are extremely high
READ MORE: The signs on your toes that show your cholesterol is dangerously high
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