Could you interview a group of people and figure out which ones are likely candidates for heart disease? You might ask them about the signs and symptoms that are pretty well-known – for example, chronic fatigue, chest pain, and shortness of breath. You might also remember to ask them about their blood pressure – is it higher or lower than it should be? If you’re quite clever, you’d know that those with obesity or diabetes carry a higher risk for heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes.
How about these symptoms – would you include them in your informal poll?
- cold feet
- foot numbness and tingling
- ridged, grooved, or pitted toenails
- lack of hair growth on toes
- lower leg pain or swelling
- increased lower leg pain when walking
You should. All these lower limb symptoms can point to heart disease.
The heart-foot connection
A healthy heart pumps about 100,000 times per day, delivering oxygen-rich blood to all your body parts. However, sometimes the paths block, or partially block, in the form of clogged arteries. Since your feet are so far away from the heart, they can offer some of the first clues that you’ve got a heart problem.
However, the good news is that we can prevent heart disease with a few important lifestyle changes. We can lose weight, take blood pressure medication, change our diet to lower cholesterol, quit smoking or vaping, and exercise regularly.
If you or someone you love has any of the foot symptoms above that may indicate heart disease, don’t delay. Visit our experienced podiatric surgeons, Dr. Craig B. Frey, Dr. Megan L. Oltmann, and Dr. Jim Swienconek, for a complete foot exam and, if warranted, a referral to a cardiologist. Call Foot & Ankle Associates of Cleveland in Solon, Ohio at (440) 903-1041 or contact us online to schedule a consultation. We offer a modern office with the latest technology for podiatric patients in Portage, Geauga, Cuyahoga, and Summit Counties, proudly serving our patients from Solon, Aurora, Bedford, Chagrin Falls, Hudson, Macedonia, and Twinsburg.