Heart Disease is Linked to Foot Health
It might seem odd that Clifton Foot & Ankle Center – a medical office devoted to foot health in Fairfax County – would blog about heart disease. But it’s not odd at all! There are some surprising connections between good heart health and good foot health – and what better time to make them than February, American Heart Month.
- Connection #1: The symptoms of heart disease may first show up in your feet. Pain in your lower legs, tingling and numbness in your feet, and persistently cold toes are warning signs that you may have a problem with circulation and blood flow.
- Connection #2: The same things that put you at risk for heart disease can also threaten your feet. Therefore, when you lower your risk of heart disease, you’re doing a service to your feet as well.
Who’s at risk for developing heart disease?
Some of the risk factors for heart disease aren’t really within a person’s control. For example, advanced age. Simply speaking, the heart is a muscle. It does wear down over time. Additionally, if you’ve got a family history of heart disease, that automatically puts you in the higher-risk category.
However, other risk factors lie entirely within a person’s control. These include:
- Smoking
- Obesity
- A sedentary lifestyle
- Poor diet
Many people are at risk
Here’s a startling statistic: almost half of all Americans fall into these high-risk categories. For example, their diet is high in salt, causing their blood pressure to soar. Or a chronic problem of high cholesterol helped with regular cardiovascular exercise and strength training. Smoking is a particularly bad activity for both heart and foot health. As we’ve noted in previous blogs, smoking contributes to peripheral arterial disease, when plaque builds up in the walls of your arteries and prevents blood from flowing to your feet.
To lower your risk of heart disease, eat a diet rich in protein, fruits and vegetables, and whole grains. Lose weight if you need to, and follow the American Heart Association’s recommendations for weekly exercise. If you smoke, take steps to quit. If foot pain prevents you from accomplishing your heart-healthy goals, let our board-certified podiatrist help. Make an appointment with Dr. Kenneth R. Wilhelm at our office in Centreville, Virginia, online or call (732) 905-1110.
