Archive · 9 Aug 2025
Experts Link High Cholesterol to Hand Deformity
High cholesterol can cause a hand condition called Dupuytren's contracture.
It happens because of the tightening of tissue in the palm and fingers.
Small bumps appear first, then cords form, making it hard to straighten your fingers.
This is also linked to smoking, alcohol, and diabetes.
It's rare and often affects men of European descent.
To help, doctors suggest lifestyle changes to lower cholesterol levels.
High cholesterol can lead to Dupuytren's contracture, a hand deformity.
Dupuytren's contracture causes the tissue in the palm to thicken and tighten.
Symptoms include bumps, cords, and difficulty straightening fingers.
The condition is more common in those with high cholesterol and also linked to smoking, alcohol use, and diabetes.
Lifestyle changes are key to lowering cholesterol.
- Who
- People with high cholesterol can develop Dupuytren's contracture.
- What
- Experts warn of hand deformity and link it to high cholesterol levels.
- When
- The condition develops over months or years.
- Where
- The condition affects the palms and fingers.
- Why
- High cholesterol and other factors cause Dupuytren's contracture, a deformity where finger tendons tighten.
- Condition
- Dupuytren's contracture
- Possible Cause
- High cholesterol
- Symptoms
- Bumps, cords, difficulty straightening fingers
- Affected Fingers
- Fourth and fifth fingers
- Other Risk Factors
- Smoking, alcohol, diabetes
- Prevalence
- Rare, about 5% of people