Heart Health and Your Feet

February is American Heart Month! The staff and team at PodiatryCare, PC, and the Heel Pain Center want to take the time to raise awareness for the ongoing concern over heart disease in America. Did you know over 600,000 Americans suffer from heart disease every year? This makes it the leading cause of death in America.

Recognizing the signs and symptoms of poor heart health is crucial. Did you know your feet can help tell you when it’s time to get a checkup for your heart? Some of your recent foot concerns may point to a larger issue at hand.

Could It Be Heart Disease?

Is walking leaving you with foot or leg pain these days? You might consider it the side effects of poorly fitted jogging shoes or sore muscles, but it could also be the first sign of peripheral artery disease.

Atherosclerosis is the narrowing of your arteries due to plaque buildup, which makes it harder for your lower extremities to get enough oxygen. This process triggers peripheral artery disease or PAD. When this happens, it’s common for your legs and feet to start hurting, especially when you’re active.

Now, not all foot pain means you have PAD. But if you notice that the pain starts when you’re walking and slows when you’re resting, it might be a point of concern. You may also notice leg cramps, hair loss, numbness, coldness, and skin discoloration.

Treating Heart Disease

There are a host of downsides to PAD. However, the one upside is that there are plenty of ways to treat it. Between lifestyle changes and medications, you can keep your disease under control. Most changes include quitting smoking, limiting your alcohol consumption, exercising more, and eating a healthier diet.

Here at PodiatryCare, PC, and the Heel Pain Center, we specialize in custom orthotics, along with various other foot and ankle ailments. Dr. Charlotte George, Dr. Matthew Tschudy, Dr. Rebecca Wiesner, Dr. Kristen Winters, Dr. Laura Vander Poel, and the rest of our team are dedicated to helping our Hartford County patients. To schedule an appointment at our Enfield location, call (860) 741-3041; for an appointment at our South Windsor location, call (860) 644-6525.