Two tell-tale signs of high cholesterol can be spotted in your toenails, a medical expert suggests.
Doctor Sami Firoozi, Consultant Cardiologist at Harley Street Clinic, explains that there are a two cholesterol complication warning signs that you may be able to spot.
These are brittle and slow growing toenails, reports the Daily Record, which occurs when there is too much of the fatty substance - known as cholesterol - in your bloodstream.
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Cholesterol helps your metabolism work efficiently, but high levels can put you at risk of health problems such as a heart condition or a stroke.
Consistently high levels can also put you at risk of peripheral aerial disease (PAD), whereby a build-up of fatty deposits made from cholesterol and other waste substances block arteries and restrict blood supply to your leg muscles.
PAD is what may cause the signs in your toenails.
Doctor Firoozi said: "Although PAD is not immediately life-threatening, the process of atherosclerosis that causes it can sometimes lead to serious and fatal problems, such as critical limb ischaemia which occurs if the blood flow to the legs becomes severely restricted."
Symptoms include a severe burning pain in your legs and feet that continues even when you're resting, your skin turning pale, shiny, smooth and dry and wounds and ulcers (open sores) on your feet and legs that do not heal.
Loss of muscle mass in your legs is also a symptom as well as the skin on your toes or lower limbs becoming cold and numb, turning red and then black, and/or beginning to swell and produce smelly pus, causing severe pain (gangrene).
Dr Firoozi added: "Your GP might refer you to have a blood test to check your cholesterol levels if they feel you are at risk.
"This will be based on your age, weight, smoking status, if you have diabetes, or whether there is a family history of high cholesterol or heart problems.
"You may also be tested for raised cholesterol if you have heart disease such as coronary artery disease or a history of stroke."
Cholesterol levels can be reduced through a person's diet and exercise.
Other signs of high cholesterol include:
- Painful aches in the leg whilst walking – this will usually disappear after a few minutes’ rest
- Hair loss on your legs and feet
- Numbness or weakness in the legs
- 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
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