When there is an excess of cholesterol in the body, most of it gets deposited inside the arteries throughout the body, obstructing the blood flow to all the affected organs. This may lead to severe and even fatal health problems. To avoid such issues and health complications, it is essential to be aware of the symptoms that may arise due to high cholesterol levels and their treatment. We spoke to our expert Dr Prof PS Banerjee, Manipal Hospital Salt Lake, Kolkata, who shared insights on the same.
Warning Signs Of Arterial Blockage In Heart And Legs
It is vital to understand these warning symptoms of arterial blockage in legs and feet. Dr Banerjee listed the symptoms as follows:
Unusual Leg and Foot Pain and Discomfort
“Regular leg pain is usually an indication of a clogged artery, especially when it occurs after exercise or at night. The cause of this pain, known as claudication, is due to decreased blood flow to the legs due to restricted blood flow”, said Dr Banerjee.
Feeling Weightless or Numb
As a result of inadequate blood supply, people with arterial blockages may also experience numbness or weakness in their legs and feet, especially during rest or inactivity.
Also Read: Atherosclerosis: Expert Explains This Silent Threat Lurking In Your Arteries
Feet and Legs Swelling
Swollen feet and legs may be a sign of arterial blockage with fluid accumulation due to poor circulation. The puffiness during the daytime could be more noticeable.
Continuously Chilly Foot
“Even in warm conditions, if you have poor circulation due to an artery blockage, your feet may feel cold all the time. This symptom is most apparent while sleeping at night”, added Dr Banerjee.
According to StatPearls, people experiencing Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) may observe a bluish or purplish hue in the skin of their legs or feet, indicative of insufficient oxygenated blood flow to the area.
Wounds or Sores Taking More Time to Heal
Lower limb sores or wounds that take a longer time to heal could be an indication of insufficient blood flow brought on by blocked arteries. These wounds are more susceptible to infection and may even cause pain.
Skin Discolouration
A bluish or purplish hue on the skin of the legs and feet indicates poor blood flow and possible arterial blockages.
Also Read: From Chest Pain To Vision Problems: Expert Lists Symptoms of Blocked Arteries
Inexplicable Loss of Hair
Hair loss or reduced growth on the feet and legs may potentially indicate artery blockage. Also, the buildup of plaque in the arteries can restrict blood flow and potentially contribute to hair loss.
Message From The Expert
“People with a history of smoking, alcohol intake, uncontrolled diabetes, and hypertension, high cholesterol levels are prone to develop leg pain with heart ailments. Leg discomfort is more severe at night, and people frequently ignore these symptoms because they are unaware of them. Any person experiencing such symptoms is advised to consult an expert. Timely diagnosis and treatment will help us save your life”, highlighted Dr Banerjee.
Bottomline
Dr Banerjee concluded, “Many patients with blocked arteries in lower limbs may experience sudden cardiac death due to associated blockage of coronary arteries supplying the heart muscle. Hence, prevention of smoking, correction of high blood lipids and sugar levels, controlling high blood pressure, and regular exercise are all important lifestyle modifications that you should follow. This will help prevent leg artery blockage along with coronary arteries narrowing, thereby preventing heart attack and death in many cases.”
[Disclaimer: This article contains information provided by an expert and is for informational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to consult your expert if you are dealing with any health issues to rule out the complications.]