Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is often among the first manifestations of untreated high cholesterol. The condition can develop over the course of a lifetime, as cholesterol molecules gradually contribute to the thickening of arteries. When the signs do eventually emerge, they may strike in the middle of the night.
According to Cleveland Clinic, PAD is diagnosed when plaque builds up inside the arteries that carry oxygen and nutrients to the heart, arms and legs.
This clogging is caused by fatty molecules circulating inside the blood from poor diet or genetics.
According to the health body, claudication is “the first noticeable sign” of the disease.
This term describes perpetual episodes of leg discomfort, pain or cramping, that can be triggered with activity and go away with rest.
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The Mayo Clinic explains: “Claudication is most often a symptom of peripheral artery disease.”
The pain may range from mild to severe, and could occasionally affect the body when it isn’t moving around.
According to WebMD, that means “it can occur at nighttime and wake you up. Tingling in your foot or toes may also awaken you”.
The health body adds: “Standing up, or hanging your legs over the side of your bed, helps because it forces blood to flow into your lower limbs.”
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It is transported in the blood by two proteins; low-density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol) and high-density lipoprotein (good cholesterol).
The goal is to keep both in equilibrium, and this can be done with a combination of dietary and lifestyle measures.
Exercise can help by boosting the production and efficiency of enzymes that improve the recycling of cholesterol.
It’s been consistently concluded in studies that the frequency – as opposed to the intensity – of exercise is likely to have the greatest effect on HDL levels.
The goal is to aim for at least 30 minutes each day, even if this is broken down into shorter bouts of exercise throughout the day.
Eating dietary sources of saturated fat too often will lead to an increase in bad cholesterol levels.
These should be swapped for foods rich in soluble fibre which offer rapid reductions in bad cholesterol.
Soluble fibre, which is abundant in many plant-based foods, works by reducing the absorption of cholesterol into the bloodstream.
