Guide To The Causes Of Leg Ulcers

High Cholesterol

Cholesterol, a lipid, is a waxy substance the liver produces. Everyone needs it, since cholesterol helps form cell membranes, vitamin D, and some hormones. It travels on its own through blood. There are two main types of cholesterol: low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Although both forms of cholesterol are found in the body, if low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, the unhealthy kind, is too high, patients are considered to have high cholesterol.

As many individuals know, high cholesterol is a major risk factor for many health conditions. One of these is the development of leg ulcers. Specifically, high cholesterol increases the risk of arterial ulcers. It does this because as the cholesterol builds in their arteries, they will often narrow and become blocked. Thus, other tissues will not receive enough nutrient-rich blood, causing the wound or ulcer to form.

Learn more about what can cause leg ulcers now.