Heart and Foot Health Go Hand in Hand

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Love is in the air and hearts are everywhere this month. That’s why it’s the perfect time to celebrate American Heart Month and we at Texas Foot Specialists want to give our patients some important information on how your heart and feet impact each other. If you’re wondering what the connection is between heart and sole, consider that it’s your heart that’s responsible for pumping blood to your entire body. Your feet, being the furthest away from your heart, require the most effort to get nutrient and oxygen-rich blood to them. Without an adequate supply, injuries and wounds will be slow to heal and the risk for infection and other difficulties increases. Heart disease is also linked to an increased risk for diabetes, another disease that can be detrimental to your podiatric health.

Feet as An Early Warning System

In addition to benefitting from a healthy heart, your feet can also give clues that your heart may be in trouble. Poor circulation can be a sign that arterial disease—plaque buildup on the walls of your arteries—is present. Some symptoms to look for in your lower extremities include:

  • Hair loss on feet and legs

  • Leg cramping

  • Feeling of coldness in the skin on feet or legs

  • Discoloration of toenails or skin

  • Numbness

  • Sores that seem slow to heal

If you notice one or more of these signs, it’s important that you contact our Sugar Land 281-242-4448, Pasadena 281-991-0600, or Houston 713-664-6677 offices to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Our podiatrists, Dr. Bruce Miller and Dr. Gregory Mangum, will perform a physical examination of your feet and get a complete health history to determine your risk factors for peripheral arterial disease. The podiatrist can also perform a simple, non-invasive test called an ankle-brachial index which measures blood pressure and compares readings from your ankle and your arm. If he suspects a potential heart problem, the foot doctor will refer you to a cardio or vascular specialist.

Keep Your Heart Healthy

There are many lifestyle changes you can make to ensure a healthy heart:

  • Eat a nutritious diet low in saturated fats and sugars and high in lean proteins, whole grains, and lots of fruits and vegetables

  • Exercise regularly

  • Don’t smoke

For additional heart health tips, visit the American Heart Association at www.heart.org. If you have questions about your feet and circulation, contact us today.