The ‘smelly’ telltale sign that your cholesterol levels are extremely high

An expert cardiologist has warned of a ‘smelly symptom’ resulting from high cholesterol.

Symptoms of high cholesterol are often absent but consistently high levels can lead to unpleasant bodily changes, the Daily Express reports. Doctor Sami Firoozi, Consultant Cardiologist at the Harley Street Clinic, part of HCA Healthcare UK warned if high levels restrict blood flow to the legs, this could cause a “smelly” symptom to arise.

Cholesterol is essential for the body to function, however consistently high levels can create severe complications. The most obvious signs of high cholesterol follow on from peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which is when a build-up of fatty deposits made from cholesterol and other waste substances block the arteries and restrict blood supply to leg muscles.

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Doctor Firoozi told the Daily Express: “Although PAD is not immediately life-threatening, the process of atherosclerosis that causes it can sometimes lead to serious and fatal problems, such as critical limb ischaemia which occurs if the blood flow to the legs becomes severely restricted. The skin on your toes or lower limbs becomes cold and numb, turning red and then black, and/or beginning to swell and produce smelly pus, causing severe pain (gangrene).”

The Daily Express reported that there are other warning signs for example, a severe burning in your legs and feet that does not stop even where you are resting, the appearance of skin that is pale, shiny smooth and dry and wounds and ulcers (open sores) on your legs and feet that do not heal. Another warning sign is a loss of muscle mass in your legs.

Doctor Firoozi also said to the Daily Express: “In some cases, cholesterol can deposit around the eyes to form fatty, yellowish lumps. Your GP might refer you to have a blood test to check your cholesterol levels if they feel you are at risk – this will be based on your age, weight, smoking status, if you have diabetes, or whether there is a family history of high cholesterol or heart problems

The total cholesterol in your blood is shown by a blood test, including the levels of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ cholesterol. HDL cholesterol is often thought to be the ‘good’ type because it picks up LDL cholesterol - the ‘bad’ type and takes it to the liver where it is removed from the body’s system.

The doctor said that you may be tested for raised cholesterol as well if you have heart disease like coronary artery disease or a history of stroke. When asked by the Daily Express how you can lower cholesterol, Doctor Firoozi answered: “High cholesterol can often be reduced by healthy eating and making lifestyle changes, such as increasing exercise, cutting back on alcohol and stopping smoking.”

The Daily Express reported that some foods are not only part of a healthy diet as they can actively help to lower cholesterol too. Cholesterol charity Heart UK said that one way to lower your cholesterol is by cutting down on saturated fat and replacing some of it with unsaturated fat.

Processed and fatty meats like sausages, ham, burgers and bacon all contain saturated fat. Unsaturated fats have been found to be healthier and they are found in vegetable oils including olive, sunflower and corn, oily fish, avocado, nuts and seeds and fat spreads made from vegetable oils like sunflower and olive oil.

The charity told the Daily Express: “Aim to eat two portions of fish per week, at least one of which should be oily. Avoid coconut and palm oil as, unlike other vegetable oils, they are high in saturated fat."

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