Pain in your feet could be a red flag for heart health

Do your feet often hurt while walking? If yes, the reason could be an underlying serious problem. Research suggests that the health of your heart can directly impact your feet. So, the pain and swelling in your feet may be due to a heart problem. As you know, your heart pumps blood and maintains blood circulation through the body.

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However, there are several medical conditions which can reduce the blood flow to your feet. One such condition is called Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). It is a disorder in which your legs don’t receive enough blood due to building up of a plaque or cholesterol in the arteries.

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Pain and numbness
Brachial Index test
Avoid the risk factors
Increase physical activity

Pain and numbness

Peripheral Artery Disease is a major health risk as it restricts the blood flow to your limbs. The possible symptoms of this condition include leg weakness, numbness in legs and feet, pain while walking and tiredness. If not treated properly, Peripheral Artery Disease can lead to far more serious complications in your body such as coronary artery disease (CAD). Coronary artery disease is commonly caused by cholesterol build up in the wall of the arteries. Both these conditions can lead to severe and life-threatening heart problems like heart attack or stroke.

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Brachial Index test

PAD can be easily ascertained by checking the patient’s legs. If this is not sufficient, the next and the most-common test for PAD is Brachial Index. It is a simple test that involves taking and comparing the blood pressure in ankles with blood pressure in arms. This can be done by using a Doppler device that visualizes the arteries and measures the blood flow. It uses sound waves to indicate the presence of a blockage in arteries.

Most people have the same blood pressure in their feet and arms. If there is even a 10 percent difference between the two, it may suggest PAD. Doctors are quick to point out that conditions like PAD have no unique symptoms and half of the people do not even know if they have this condition or not. Brachial index is a powerful clinical tool in identifying this condition since it can be performed with a primary care diagnosis through the measurement of blood pressure.

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Avoid the risk factors

High cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, increasing age and family history of heart disease are some of the other risk factors that contribute to PAD. It affects both men and women and people below the age of 60 are at increased risk. It is also important to note that peripheral artery disease is more common in smokers.

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Increase physical activity

Regular physical activity like walking, leg exercises, etc is the most effective treatment for PAD. If you have elevated cholesterol levels because of PAD then include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet. A diet low in cholesterol and saturated fat will help you lower your blood cholesterol levels. As mentioned earlier, smokers are at higher risk of developing PAD so quit smoking in order to avoid possible heart issues. Consult and take the advice of your doctor before using medications to reduce pain, lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels.

Remember, it is vital to diagnose PAD as early as possible as it can be managed simply by adjusting your lifestyle, diet and medication.

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