High cholesterol frequently goes unnoticed because it does not usually present obvious health warning signs, but it may be associated with a particular type of pain that should not be dismissed. Elevated cholesterol levels in the bloodstream can cause arterial blockages, raising the likelihood of heart attacks, making it a crucial health issue to manage.
Research Links High Cholesterol to Tendon Pain
Studies have uncovered links between high cholesterol and certain physical symptoms. Research examined in the British Journal of Sports Medicine identified a connection between raised cholesterol levels and tendon pain. The research highlighted that tendon pain occurs more frequently in individuals with severe cases of high cholesterol.
"It is unclear whether the association with tendon pain is strong with less extreme elevations of cholesterol," the researchers indicated. To investigate further, the research team carried out a meta-analysis, which combines and analyses findings from multiple studies.
The researchers identified relevant articles through an electronic search of six medical databases: MEDLINE; Cochrane; AMED; EMBASE; Web of Science; and Scopus.
Tendon pain occurs more frequently in those with severe cases of high cholesterol. All these studies examined cholesterol levels and tendon structure or tendon pain. A total of 17 studies involving 2,612 participants were suitable for inclusion in the review.
The researchers found that people with altered tendon structure or tendon pain had significantly higher total cholesterol. The researcher said: "The results of this review indicate that a relationship exists between an individual's lipid profile and tendon health. However, further longitudinal studies are required to determine whether a cause and effect relationship exists between tendon structure and lipid levels."
How to Reduce Your Cholesterol
The NHS recommends reducing your intake of fatty foods, particularly those high in saturated fat. Saturated fat is commonly found in items such as butter, lard, ghee, fatty meats, and cheese. "You can still have foods that contain a healthier type of fat called unsaturated fat," the NHS advised, such as avocados.
