Your feet can warn you about clogged arteries and heart disease

When talking about heart health and perhaps clogged arteries, you most frequently think of symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or high blood pressure.

But your feet, the sly messenger of the cardiovascular system, are among the first organs in your body to warn you of serious conditions like heart disease and clogged arteries.

You might be surprised to learn how much your feet can tell you about your health. Frequently overlooked, your feet could be a sign of serious cardiovascular issues like peripheral artery disease (PAD) and coronary artery disease (CAD), two forms of atherosclerosis where plaque buildup restricts blood flow in the arteries.

What is PAD?

Peripheral arterial disease, which mostly affects the legs and feet and reduces blood flow to the limbs, is brought on by narrowed arteries. Blood flow is decreased when plaque, a mixture of fat, cholesterol, and other substances, builds up in the arteries and causes them to harden and narrow.

 

PAD’s effects on the feet

The following symptoms could be the first signs of PAD in your feet, per WebMD:

Chilly feet: Because poor circulation makes it harder for warm blood to reach your extremities, chilly feet may continue even in warmer conditions!
Slowly healing wounds: The unusually extended healing time of blisters or minor injuries may indicate an insufficient blood supply.
Aching or cramping in the legs and feet that subsides with rest is the hallmark of walking pain.
Discoloration: Feet may appear purplish, bluish, or pale due to reduced blood flow.

 

Critical limb ischemia, which can lead to infection, gangrene, and even amputation if left untreated, is one of the severe outcomes of ignoring PAD symptoms. Additionally, PAD is often a sign of atherosclerosis affecting other major arteries, including those supplying the brain and heart.

What is CAD?

Coronary artery disease is a type of atherosclerosis that affects the arteries that provide blood to the heart. Heart attacks are more likely when plaque accumulation in these arteries lowers the quantity of oxygen-rich blood that reaches the heart.

Unexpectedly, feet can also show signs of CAD:

 

 

Swelling (edema): Ankle and foot swelling can be caused by fluid retention brought on by compromised heart function.
Reduced circulation may be the source of pins-and-needles sensations in the toes.
Skin changes: The foot’s skin may appear tight and shiny due to fluid buildup and impaired circulation.
Discomfort during rest: Unlike PAD, CAD-related foot pain can persist, especially at night.
Brittle toenails: A lack of blood supply can cause weak toenails to become thick and brittle.

“Children and youth are increasingly at risk for CAD,” according to the American Heart Association (AHA). As a result, early prevention can have more long-term advantages. Healthy lifestyle choices such as eating a balanced diet, exercising, and controlling one’s weight “will delay the progression of CAD, and there is hope that it can be improved before it causes further health problems.”

According to the American Heart Association, there’s a high probability that you also have PAD if you have either CAD or PAD.

Eliminate PAD and CAD.

Prevention is crucial to avoiding serious issues from atherosclerosis-related illnesses. Here are some tips to protect your feet and overall health:

Get moving: Exercise protects against plaque that clogs arteries and improves circulation. According to the Centers for Disease Control, adults should aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day, such as brisk walking or swimming.

Eat heart-healthy foods: Prioritize a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Cut back on processed foods and unhealthy fats.

Butt out: Because smoking constricts blood vessels and damages circulation, it is a major risk factor for both PAD and CAD.

Calm down: Prolonged stress can exacerbate heart disease and high blood pressure. Practice calming techniques like meditation or deep breathing.

Not so sweet: Managing blood sugar levels is crucial for diabetics to prevent foot and cardiovascular issues.

 

 

 

frequent checkups: If you have risk factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of heart disease, visiting your doctor on a frequent basis may help detect problems early.

Because your feet can provide you with vital information about the state of your heart, paying attention to them can help you spot problems before they get out of hand. It’s important to pay attention to symptoms like cold feet, edema, or cramps.

Were you surprised to learn how intimately our hearts and feet are related? Please tell your friends about this article and let us know what you think so they know what to look for!

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