Millions of people are completely unaware that they have hypercholesterolemia, although it affects about 60% of adults, says one doctor.
Although this condition often has no obvious symptoms, one telltale sign can be a good indicator… and it affects the toes.
High cholesterol is a condition that occurs when there is too much cholesterol in the blood, which can lead to peripheral artery disease (PAD), which occurs when “the arteries that carry blood to the legs become narrowed due to atherosclerosis or become constipated,” says the Integrated University Center for Health and Social Services in Estrie.
dr Sami Firoozi, a consultant cardiologist at the Harley Street Clinic in the UK, told HuffPost that PAD can make toenails brittle or grow slowly.
PAD can lead to poor blood flow to toenails, meaning they lack oxygen or nutrients to fuel their growth, reports Dr. Firoozi.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the disease most commonly affects the legs, although it can affect any blood vessel.
Other symptoms of PAD include hair loss on legs and feet, numb or weak legs, open sores that won’t heal and shiny skin, reports the Chron.
“Your skin may also become slightly discolored and paler than usual,” said Dr. Firoozi.