High cholesterol increases the risk of some serious diseases, particularly heart disease and stroke. It is a silent condition that does not offer many signals and for this reason it is a very dangerous pathology. There is talk of normal values for total cholesterol up to 199, while between 200 and 239 it is low risk. From 240 onwards the risk is high.
Not all cholesterol is harmful.
There is in fact the good and the bad. The latter can jeopardize your health. That’s why it’s important to keep your levels under control. While it is difficult to tell the amount of cholesterol because it is not associated with many symptoms, there is a telltale sign that could help. An expert, Dr Monika Wassermann, suggests a not-to-be-underestimated sign to find out if you have high or ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol numbers. You have to be careful about the color of your nails because it could indicate high cholesterol.
Pay attention to the color of the nails
The most reliable way to find out what your cholesterol values are is to have a blood test. Despite this, Dr. Wassermann makes it known that one place where the signs of high cholesterol can emerge is your nails. Beware of the appearance of dark lines right under the nails. Symptoms of high cholesterol include dark lines under the nails.
Here is a great symptom of high cholesterol
Why the nails? High cholesterol levels cause the arteries to become blocked because cholesterol is deposited in them and forms a plaque. It is this plaque that makes arteries narrow. Large cholesterol deposits completely block them. Narrow or blocked arteries restrict blood flow to various parts of the body, including the nails. And so even though high cholesterol is referred to as a silent condition, dark wrinkles under the nails are one of the best ways to spot it.
This sign is also sometimes referred to as splinter hemorrhages. They would be thin, red to reddish-brown lines appearing under the nails. These lines usually also run in the direction of nail growth.
While this fingernail sign could indicate high cholesterol, the best way to find your levels is to take a blood test. If the condition is confirmed, the doctor will choose the best course of action to regain cholesterol control.