11 Signs Cholesterol Could Be Harming Your Legs

Cholesterol can clog the heart's blood vessels, but it can also affect the legs, leading to peripheral arterial disease, or PAD.

Up to 12 million people in the U.S. have PAD, which is linked to a higher risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke, says David Slovut, M.D., director of advanced interventional therapy at Montefiore Medical Center.

After five years, 20 percent of people with PAD will have had a nonfatal heart attack.

Here are 11 signs you could have PAD. The good news? It's treatable.

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Pain In The Legs

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An extremely common PAD symptom is claudication -- a type of leg pain or discomfort. Because the arteries are clogged, they can't deliver enough blood to the legs to support exertion. Some people say their legs feel "heavy" or tired, or they report a burning pain, Dr. Slovut says. The pain can be in any part of the leg, from the calf to the thigh or buttock, and it may be in one or both legs. It's also reproducible: The pain happens when walking a certain distance (like two blocks), it's relieved by rest, and then occurs again when walking the same distance. More from Health.com: 10 Surprising Facts About Cholesterol Easy Food Swaps to Cut Cholesterol, Not Taste The Worst Habits for Your Heart

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An extremely common PAD symptom is claudication -- a type of leg pain or discomfort.

Because the arteries are clogged, they can't deliver enough blood to the legs to support exertion. Some people say their legs feel "heavy" or tired, or they report a burning pain, Dr. Slovut says.

The pain can be in any part of the leg, from the calf to the thigh or buttock, and it may be in one or both legs. It's also reproducible: The pain happens when walking a certain distance (like two blocks), it's relieved by rest, and then occurs again when walking the same distance.

More from Health.com:
10 Surprising Facts About Cholesterol
Easy Food Swaps to Cut Cholesterol, Not Taste
The Worst Habits for Your Heart

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Comments

[Wmumart]

10:02 PM on 08/29/2011

Just 2 years ago I was 145 kg or 310 LBS, and even walking was quite terrifying. I did discover that working out in water is best way to get in shape fast.
I do not have any muscle ache or side effects.
When you add some appetite control you can see dramatic results fast.
http://youtu.be/7qekYbK7A4U
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=search_playlists&search_query=fruta+planta+will+kill+Peter+Calka&uni=1

[Rosie Maher Misenhimer]

03:27 PM on 08/29/2011

And why aren't there any suggestions on what one could do should they have any of these symptoms... or no symptoms at all?!

[Curlee]

09:17 AM on 08/28/2011

"No symptoms at all" is one of the 11 SIGNS that cholesterol is harming me? Does this mean I should schedule an appointment with my Doc ASAP and tell him I have no symptoms at all? Aside from an annual checkup, I don't think my health insurance is going to pay for "no symptoms at all".

[chatnuptime1]

04:42 AM on 09/02/2011

Yes get your cholesterol checked. I was floored to know that I had a stroke caused by fat. My cholesterol was thru the roof. I can eat a fatty meal and it won't break down enough to not be damaging. I have a rare disease that limits my bodies ability to break down lipids. I am not overwheight or smoke and considered myself healthy. Never had high blood pressure either. One thing I did noticed was the numbness in my feet and they were always cold. But it was not till I had this fat embolism that produced stroke like symptoms did I know cholesterol was the culprit. Cholesterol screening is part of the routine wellness check now recommended by the American Heart Association.

[Uosdwis]

03:29 PM on 08/27/2011

"No symptoms at all?" That's comforting. Probably applies to a lot of things. Then one day you just keel over dead.

[robin360]

03:21 PM on 09/01/2011

Oh my god, I have the last one, "no symptoms at all!" I knew I had something (apart from hypochondriasis), see, I knew it!