If you have high cholesterol, it may show up as different signs. Learn about high cholesterol: what your nails could be telling you.
Having high cholesterol may result in peculiar symptoms that may not obviously be connected to your condition. While it doesn’t generally produce any symptoms, a warning sign may be appearing on your nails.
For example, some people may experience a phenomenon known as splinter hemorrhages that cause dark lines under their nails. According to the American Academic of Dermatology Association, these nail spots are a warning of heart disease risk. “When it’s a sign of heart disease, people tend to have symptoms, such as high fever and a weak or irregular heartbeat,” they explain.
Moreover, a study in the National Library of Health explored the link between splinter hemorrhages and high cholesterol. As part of her clinical presentations, the patient in the study demonstrated splinter hemorrhages in multiple fingernails and toenails; she also had cholesterol crystal embolization.
“Our patient’s clinical presentation, and review of the medical literature, raise the possibility that cholesterol crystal embolization may be associated with splinter hemorrhages,” notes the study. In their conclusion, researchers note that nails may indicate whether someone has dangerously high cholesterol levels.
High Cholesterol: What Your Nails Could Be Telling You
Splinter hemorrhages appear on the nails as small spots of blood and can present in both fingernails and toenails. When tiny blood vessels are damaged and burst, they may leave small specks of blood visible through the nail.
If you have splinter hemorrhages, you may notice a dark red line along the nail groove, closely resembling a splinter. In addition to high cholesterol, they may also be a sign of an infection called endocarditis, affecting the heart valves.
Furthermore, they may also be a sign of damage from swelling in blood vessels (vasculitis). You may not notice the splinter hemorrhages right away, especially because it doesn’t usually cause any pain.
Cholesterol and Health
While cholesterol generally gets a bad reputation, it’s actually necessary for the body to function properly. In fact, it is particularly important for the health of your skin, brain, and nerves.
To help you make the distinction, remember that there is “good” cholesterol (HDL) and “bad” cholesterol (LDL). When you have too much LDL cholesterol, it can clog up your arteries and lead to high cholesterol and heart disease.
If you want to keep your cholesterol levels at a normal range, you can take daily supplements like L-arginine Plus. Its ingredients are effective at promoting cholesterol health, circulation, blood pressure levels, and more.
Give your cholesterol the support that it deserves by maintaining them at a healthy range and taking L-arginine Plus.