High cholesterol can be a pain - literally!

I treat a lot of people for Achilles? tendonitis. However, it?s important to note that pain in the Achilles tendon that isn?t triggered by strain or an injury could be a sign of a genetic condition that can cause sky-high cholesterol levels. In people with this often overlooked condition, known as heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, cholesterol deposits can build up in tendons in the fingers, elbows, knees, and feet; the Achilles tendon at the back of the heel is one of the most common sites?which is why people get pain in their Achilles tendon.

British researchers found that 47% of their patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia had one or more episodes of pain in an Achilles tendon that lasted three days or more, compared with 7% of people without the condition. These episodes often occurred years before the people were diagnosed with high cholesterol.

The Achilles? tendon, which runs up the back of your heel, is the major connection between your foot and the muscles in your calf. This tendon enables you to lift your heel up so that your weight shifts to your toes ? an essential function in walking and running. Some sports or activities can harm the Achilles tendon, as can wearing the wrong shoes. If you have pain in this important tendon and there doesn?t seem to be a logical reason for it, having your cholesterol checked is a good idea.

Are you surprised that high cholesterol can have affects on the body in an area so different from the heart?

Julie K. Silver, M.D., is an assistant professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School. She is also the Chief Editor of Books for Harvard Health Publications.

High Cholesterol
High cholesterol is a major contributor to heart disease, but how can you tell how much cholesterol is too much? What is the difference between ?good? and ?bad? cholesterol, and how can you achieve a healthy level of each? What to do about High Cholesterol is a special report from Harvard Medical School that gives you a step-by-step plan to set and reach your own cholesterol-level goal. Get tips on diet and exercise, medication options, and everything else you need to start lowering your cholesterol today.