Your Feet and Your Heart Make Long Distance Work
February is certainly all about Valentine’s, but it’s also American Heart Month, a great time to focus on maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system. For most people, that means exercise or changes in diet. But did you know your feet can offer valuable clues about your heart health? And they do so despite their considerable distance from the epicenter of circulation.
Goldsmith Podiatry treats young athletes and active seniors alike, so we understand that the feet are often the first part of you to reveal signs of circulatory concerns. To keep you in the loop, we’ve put together some basic info in the blog below. Read on for healthy heart hints!
The Heart-Foot Highway
Your feet are located furthest from the heart, with gravity making them especially sensitive to disruptions in blood flow. This can be seen through several symptoms, including:
Reduced blood flow can manifest as numbness, tingling, or coldness, particularly in the toes and soles.
Pale or bluish skin can signal Raynaud's disease.
Sluggish blood flow impairs the foot’s ability to heal from cuts, scrapes, or ulcers.
Reduced blood flow can also affect hair growth, leading to smoother, hairless skin on your feet and legs.
Why It Matters
Ignoring the complications we’ve covered might make it harder to treat any number of problems, such as:
Peripheral artery disease (PAD): A narrowing of arteries in the legs, this one might contribute to pain, cramping, or even tissue death in severe cases.
Diabetic foot complications: Diabetes can damage nerves and blood vessels, increasing the risk of foot ulcers, infections, and amputations.
The good news? Prompt intervention can make a real difference in improving outcomes, so don’t hesitate to ask an expert DPM to look at whatever’s worrying you. Contact our Upper West Side office at 212-877-1002 for an appointment as soon as possible, and we'll schedule a full assessment and treatment right away. Oh, and by the way, have a great Valentine's Day!