The Long Term Effects Of High Cholesterol You Didn't Know About

Peripheral Vascular Disease

One long-term effect of high cholesterol an individual might develop is peripheral vascular disease. This is a condition that affects one in twenty Americans over fifty years old. This can be a serious condition and can become fatal if left untreated. Peripheral vascular disease involves the narrowing of blood vessels in the body due to a build up of plaque. Blood has a far more difficult time passing through the vessels. As a result, a clot is easier to form. Should the clot make its way to a patient's lung, they could potentially die. Symptoms typically revolve around cramping. This condition can occur virtually anywhere in the body but is most common in the legs, buttocks, calves, hips, and thighs. Besides cramping, peripheral vascular disease patients may also experience pale or reddish-blue skin, particularly on their legs. Another symptom is legs being cool to the touch when they shouldn't be.

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Carotid Artery Disease

Another potentially lethal condition that having high cholesterol can develop is carotid artery disease, which involves the narrowing of the blood vessels that lead to the brain. The carotids, in particular, make up two large blood vessels in the neck. They are responsible for delivering blood to and from the heart to the brain. In the event of carotid artery disease, the blood vessels narrow. Again, this can be due to plaque and cholesterol, much like peripheral vascular disease. When too much plaque builds up inside of the artery, it can become impossible for blood to flow through it, which can create a clot. The clot can actually travel through the stream and wind up blocking a small artery in the brain. As a result, patients might have a stroke. Unfortunately, there are rarely any signs or symptoms of carotid artery disease until the passage has already been narrowed or blocked. A doctor may be able to hear a whooshing sound from the patient's artery with their stethoscope. Otherwise, a stroke is the only symptom.

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