We all know that having a high level of cholesterol (an overall reading of 5 or above)¹ is bad news for our health. But did you know that too much of this fat-like substance that circulates in your blood could be what’s causing your leg pain?

Cholesterol - it's not all bad

Believe it or not, we need some cholesterol in order for our bodies to function correctly. It plays an essential part in creating certain hormones and also helps to maintain liver function. The problem comes when too much cholesterol builds up in the bloodstream which can lead to blocked arteries.

What causes high cholesterol?

The main causes of excess cholesterol are lifestyle-based – eating too many fatty foods, being overweight, smoking, drinking alcohol, or not doing enough exercise can all cause cholesterol levels in the body to rise. Some people may also have high cholesterol due to their genetic makeup.

How does high cholesterol affect the body?

The main impact of having too much of this fatty substance is that it can build up on the inside of your arteries, thickening the walls of these essential pathways. The blood has less room to pump through your circulatory system, and your heart has to work harder to keep everything moving, which puts strain on your heart and raises your blood pressure.

You’ve probably also heard that high cholesterol can cause heart disease, heart attack or stroke. This is because the deposits of fatty cholesterol can break off, causing a clot or blockage in the arteries to the heart or brain.

What is less well known is that high cholesterol may also cause pain in the extremities including your legs.

How does high cholesterol cause leg pain?

High cholesterol can cause problems with circulation throughout the body, including the legs, by blocking or limiting blood flow in the arteries in the extremities. This is known as Peripheral Arterial Disease or PAD.

If you have PAD, or reduced blood flow to your legs as a result of high cholesterol, you may notice pain in your legs, usually when exercising. This is known as ‘claudication’. You may notice pain when walking, running, or even just climbing the stairs. Usually, this type of pain stops when you stop the activity that has caused it. It’s important to seek advice from your GP if you experience this type of pain.

Why high cholesterol may be the cause of your leg pain

References

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