Cholesterol and heart disease are both common health issues among people of all ages groups - and now the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) have listed six different ways to detect the two conditions on your legs, nails, fingers and eyes.
While you should consult your doctor about any health concerns you have, these signs on your skin could point to high cholesterol and heart disease, reports RSVP.
People showcasing extremely high cholesterol levels will be prescribed statins.
Statins work by reducing the amount of cholesterol the body makes, the NHS has explained.
Here's what to look out for:
Red or purple lines under your nails
A major clue that could indicate a heart issue is finding red or purple lines under your nails.
If you haven’t stubbed your nail, you should consult a doctor about the issue as it may be a symptom of heart disease or another health condition.
AAD state that if it is connected to heart disease, you may also experience other signs such as a high fever or a weak or irregular heartbeat.
The medical term for this condition is splinter hemorrhage as it can look like a splinter trapped under the nail.
Swelling in your feet and lower legs
AAD explained that this may point out that your heart isn’t functioning properly as many diseases can cause fluid to build up in your lower legs and feet that may result in swelling.
The medical term for this condition is edema and if you experience this, it’s essential that your report it to your GP.
Waxy growths on eyelids
Those with cholesterol issues may experience yellowish-orange growths on their eyelids.
This occurs when cholesterol deposits build up and result in painless lumps in areas like the corner of your eyes, the lines of your palms and on the backs of your lower legs.
If you find any of these deposits, consult your doctor as you may require a cholesterol test.
The medical term for the condition on your eyelids is xanthelasma or xanthoma if they’re found on other parts of the body.
Curved nails and swollen fingertips
Another sign on your nails that you could be suffering from a heart condition is when your fingernails start to grow downwards or the ends of your fingers start to swell.
This can point to a heart infection, heart disease or problems with our lungs.
Blue or purple net pattern on skin
Another sign of a blocked artery is a blue or purple-ish coloured net-like pattern present on your skin.
It can appear when smaller arteries in your body become blocked which could lead to organ or tissue damage.
Another reason you may see the pattern is when a person is cold or chilly and it could disappear when they become warm again.
It may also appear when a person takes certain medications.
Therefore, it’s important to refer this issue to a doctor so they can determine the cause of the pattern, also known as livedo reticularis.
Skin turning blue or purple
While many different things can occur to change the colour of your skin, such as bruising and cold or hot weather, there is a colour difference you should look out for.
A condition called blue toe syndrome could indicate a blockage in a blood vessel. You may notice this when an area of your skin remains blue or purple when you are in warm conditions.
This is a serious condition as a prolonged lack of oxygen can cause the skin and its underlying tissue to die. Therefore, a doctor or emergency services should be contacted immediately.
