We love them or hate them, our feet take us from A to B although some pairs look a little worse for wear.
But experts say you should especially watch your teeth, as they could reveal signs of a silent killer.
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Having brittle or slow growing nails can mean you have high cholesterol Credit: Getty
There are two specific symptoms that can mean you have high cholesterol.
It could be nothing at all, and simply have to do with a diet change or not having enough calcium.
But, noticing that your toenails have become brittle or grow slowly without any other lifestyle changes may be worth checking out.
Cholesterol is a fatty substance in the blood that builds up with poor nutrition, lack of exercise, smoking and alcohol.
When there is too much cholesterol it blocks the blood vessels.
Sometimes people have no idea they have the disease until they develop serious complications from a heart attack or stroke.
The British Heart Foundation says: “It’s a hidden risk factor, which means it happens without us knowing until it’s too late.”
High levels can cause something called peripheral airborne disease (PAD), where fat deposits build up and block arteries.
This is what can cause the marks on the toenails, as blood flow is restricted to the feet.
Anyone can have high cholesterol; things that cause it include:
- Eat too much saturated fat
- Not being active enough
- Have too much body fat, especially around the center.
- Drink excess alcohol
- To smoke
Your feet can give you more clues that you could have the killer condition, not just your nails.
Cramps in the feet and legs, numbness or discoloration of the skin may indicate that something is seriously wrong.
All of these are symptoms of peripheral vascular disease, a complication of high cholesterol.
In peripheral vascular disease (PVD), blood vessels become narrow, hardened, or blocked; this limits blood flow to the extremities, more frequently the legs and feet.
PVD can cause reduced leg hair growth, reddish or pale blue skin, unhealed wounds or ulcers on the legs and feet, opaque thick nails, or numb, heavy muscles.
In the more advanced stages, people may develop critical limb ischemia.
Severe blockage of blood in the lower extremities causes intense pain in the feet and toes, even when sitting without doing anything.
Risk factors, apart from high cholesterol, include high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and physical inactivity.