Cholesterol is not just a number on a lab report; it is a slow, silent architect of damage. When LDL, the “bad” cholesterol, builds up in your arteries, blood struggles to reach your legs. The result can be pain when walking, cramping that wakes you at night, cold feet even in summer, and subtle changes in the color and texture of your skin and nails. These are not just leg problems; they are red flags that your circulation is compromised and your heart and brain may be next.

Ignoring these signs because you are “too busy” or “not that old yet” is a dangerous gamble. A simple blood test, a conversation with your doctor, and lifestyle changes—healthier food, movement, quitting smoking—can interrupt this quiet progression toward heart attack or stroke. Your legs may be the first place to whisper what your heart cannot yet say: something is deeply wrong.