Cholesterol 'red flag' warning sign on your hands should 'ring alarm bells'

A health expert has pointed out a subtle sign that could indicate high cholesterol, and it's related to your hands. Cholesterol is essential for various bodily functions but can become a risk when levels are too high.

It often silently accumulates in the arteries, potentially causing blockages and leading to arteriosclerosis, which impairs blood flow. Despite around 40% of Brits having high cholesterol, its symptomless nature means many remain unaware of their condition.

Most people only discover they have an issue after significant health events like heart attacks or strokes. However, Monika Wassermann, Olio Lusso's medical director, has highlighted a sign that might be overlooked: the nails.

She stated, "Our bodies should ring alarm bells when under attack. Well, I beg to differ [as] this is not always the case with high cholesterol. High cholesterol attacks in silence, making it difficult to notice its symptoms. However, this does not mean you can completely fail to identify high cholesterol levels in your body," as reported by the Mirror. Wassermann has pinpointed a particular symptom to watch out for, saying: "One red flag could appear on your nails."

She stressed the concern of having pale nails, detailing: "If you didn't know, high cholesterol causes plaque formation in your blood vessels. The plaque then affects blood circulation, resulting in pale nails.", reports Birmingham Live.

NHS guidance includes not just pale nails but also "brittle, slow-growing toenails" as potential signs of high cholesterol, which may lead to peripheral arterial disease (PAD). PAD is a condition resulting from cholesterol building up in the arteries, leading to restricted blood flow, particularly affecting the legs.

With PAD often developing slowly, getting early medical advice is crucial upon spotting symptoms. Ms Wassermann has also highlighted additional red flags, such as an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, and numbness.

She advises, "If by any chance you spot pale nails or other aforementioned symptoms, seek medical attention as soon as you can. Your healthcare provider will perform a blood test to help you find out whether or not it is high cholesterol affecting you."

To manage cholesterol levels, the NHS outlines various strategies and suggests consulting a GP for those with heightened cholesterol worries.