Moreover, high cholesterol often has no symptoms, so many people are unaware they have it. To find out, a blood test can be done. Nonetheless, if peripheral artery disease (PAD) occurs it can cause a number of symptoms. The NHS notes that PAD is a common condition where a build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries restricts blood supply, and unfortunately, in rare cases amputation can be required.

It says this build-up of fatty deposits tends to be made up of cholesterol and “other waste substances”.

The NHS states: “The symptoms of PAD often develop slowly, over time. If your symptoms develop quickly, or get suddenly worse, it could be a sign of a serious problem requiring immediate treatment.”

PAD is usually diagnosed through a physical examination by a GP, and by comparing the blood pressure in your arm and your ankle.

The Cleveland Clinic says that half of the people who have developed PAD don’t have any symptoms.

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Statins are the most common medicine for high cholesterol, according to the health service, and work by reducing the amount of cholesterol your body makes.

You usually have to continue taking statins for life because if you stop taking them, your cholesterol will return to a high level within a few weeks.

The NHS says that there are five types of statin available on prescription in the UK. They include atorvastatin, fluvastatin pravastatin, rosuvastatin and simvastatin.

It notes that a review of scientific studies into the effectiveness of statins found around one in every 50 people who take the medicine for five years will avoid a serious event, such as a heart attack or stroke, as a result.