7 Unexpected Signs of Heart Problems in Your Feet
Heart problems typically manifest in the feet through noticeable changes to their appearance and sensation. However, there are also some not-so-evident indications you may want to look out for. Today, we at PodiatryCare, PC, and the Heel Pain Center will shed light on these subtle warning signs of heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions.
Heart Conditions Your Feet are Subtly Warning You About
1. Clubbed Toenails:
What it looks like: The toenails become thickened and curved downwards, resembling a club or spoon.
The connection: Clubbing can be a sign of decreased oxygen in the blood, potentially linked to heart conditions like congenital heart defects or heart failure.
2. Splinter Hemorrhages:
What it looks like: Thin, reddish-brown lines (hence “splinter”) of blood that surface under the toenails.
The connection: These can be a sign of infective endocarditis, which is a serious infection of the heart's lining or valves. They are also known to be linked to inflammation of blood vessels (aka vasculitis).
3. Hair Loss on the Feet:
What it looks like: Thinning or loss of hair on the feet and toes.
The connection: This can indicate poor circulation, potentially linked to peripheral artery disease or other cardiovascular conditions. Some research suggests that this was a significant predictor of PAD.
4. Pitting Edema:
What it looks like: Swelling in the feet and ankles that leaves a temporary indentation when pressed.
The connection: Persistent pitting edema can be a sign of heart failure and other cardiovascular issues. This is due to insufficient blood supply to the ankle’s tissues.
5. Changes in Toenail Color:
What it looks like: Toenails may appear pale, bluish, or have a yellowish discoloration.
The connection: These changes can indicate poor circulation or underlying health conditions that may affect the heart, such as anemia or kidney disease.
6. Xanthomas:
What it looks like: Yellowish deposits of cholesterol under the skin that can present on the feet or ankles.
The connection: Xanthomas can be a sign of high cholesterol, which is a major risk factor for heart disease.
7. Foot Ulcers:
What it looks like: Sores or ulcers on the legs or feet that are slow to heal.
The connection: These can indicate poor circulation or diabetes, both of which are risk factors for heart disease.
At PodiatryCare, PC, and the Heel Pain Center, we treat a wide variety of foot and ankle ailments. Dr. Matthew Tschudy, Dr. Rebecca Wiesner, Dr. Kristen Winters, Dr. Laura Vander Poel, and the rest of our team are ready to serve 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.