Although cold feet are a common occurrence and usually do not cause concern, as the main cause is often cold weather, sometimes feeling this can be a sign of underlying health problems.
Experts claim that a high cholesterol level may be responsible for cold feet.- According to the British newspaper “Mirror”.
Symptoms of high cholesterol are rarely detected early, which is why it is sometimes called the”silent killer”.
High cholesterol can go undetected for years or even show up after it causes other health complications.
However, your cold feet may be the result of poor circulation due to blockage of blood vessels caused by high cholesterol.
This disease is known as ” peripheral artery disease, characterized by high cholesterol levels by causing the accumulation of plaques in the arteries of the legs and feet, which is known as atherosclerosis, and this accumulation can narrow or clog the arteries, reducing blood flow and causing cold feet.
When blood flow is insufficient, tissues in the legs, ankles and feet struggle to get the oxygen and nutrients they need, which can lead to a range of symptoms as the disease progresses.
In addition, poor blood circulation increases the risk of serious health problems, such as heart attacks and strokes.
And like the treatment of high cholesterol, peripheral artery disease is treated mainly through lifestyle changes.
Regular exercise and quitting smoking are among the most important changes that can alleviate the symptoms of peripheral artery disease and reduce the likelihood of its worsening.
Patients diagnosed with peripheral artery disease should also be encouraged to eat a healthy diet, lose weight and reduce alcohol consumption.
And besides lifestyle changes, some medications may be prescribed, such as statins and antihypertensive drugs.
Other symptoms of peripheral artery disease include hair loss on the legs and feet, numbness or weakness in the legs, cracked and slow-growing nails, the appearance of sores (open wounds) on the feet and legs that do not heal, as well as discoloration of the skin on the legs, such as becoming lighter or blue, and it can be difficult to notice on brown or black skin.
Symptoms also include shiny skin, erectile dysfunction and muscle atrophy of the legs.
Symptoms of peripheral artery disease usually develop slowly over time, and if symptoms develop quickly or suddenly worsen, it may be a sign of a serious problem that requires immediate medical intervention.
In most cases, the general practitioner can confirm the diagnosis of peripheral artery disease by performing a physical examination, asking the patient about his symptoms, and performing an ankle-brachial Pressure Index test.
There is no definitive cure for peripheral artery disease, but lifestyle changes and medications can help reduce symptoms.
