Earth Essences.Com

Worrying signs of high cholesterol on your toes and fingers that show dangerous levels

High cholesterol tends to be a symptom free medical condition, but the common condition can have a variety of more serious implications, according to experts.

High cholesterol can cause blockages in blood vessels, strokes and heart attacks.

Therefore the location of the blockages can have potentially life-threatening implications.

The condition can be caused by a variety things that tend to stem from repeated unhealthy behaviour.

The NHS say the condition can be caused by: "Eating fatty food, not exercising enough, being overweight, smoking and drinking alcohol."

They say it can it can be genetic but cholesterol levels can be reduced by adopting a healthy diet and doing regular exercise.

"Moderate aerobic activity means you're working hard enough to raise your heart rate and break a sweat."

© Getty Images/iStockphoto Statins may be prescribed to tackle particularly high levels of cholesterol

But what are the signs you need to take action against high cholesterol?

A warning sign of high cholesterol can be painful fingers and toes.

It is thought the pain is caused by an accumulation of cholesterol in the vessels of the legs and hands.

Another symptom commonly associated with the condition is a tingling sensation in the toes and fingers.

Speaking to the Express, Dr Rahul Agrawal: "everyone needs to monitor their cholesterol levels".

"Interruptions in the blood flow to certain parts of the body makes a tingling sensation in hands and legs,

"The high cholesterol levels in the blood make the blood flow thick and affect the normal flow of blood in the nerves and cause tingling."

Fatty lumps can form under the skin, which can appear in the hands and feet.

These fatty lumps are known xanthoma and can vary in size, from the size of a grape all the way down to that of a pinhead.

It is understood they can often appear in yellow or orange, and look like a flat bump under the skin.

They could be tender or sensitive to the touch.

They can also appear on the elbows, buttocks or knees.

Although doctors can diagnose the condition you may need a skin biopsy.

Meanwhile, a lipid blood test can inform patients whether they have high cholesterol levels.

It is thought that xanthomas can reduce if cholesterol levels are reduced.

For dangerous levels of cholesterol, doctors are likely to prescribe statins, which work by slowing down the production of cholesterol in the liver.

Reference: Mirror: Harry Thompson