Are You at Risk for Peripheral Arterial Disease?
Sometimes the symptoms you experience in your feet aren’t necessarily pointing to just a foot problem. At NY Foot Health, one condition we want our patients to be particularly aware of is peripheral arterial disease (PAD). PAD occurs when plaque accumulates in the arteries in your legs, decreasing blood flow. Since your feet are the part of your body farthest from the heart, signs of poor circulation may first manifest in your feet. These include:
Feet frequently feel cold
Numbness or tingling sensation
Hair loss on lower legs or feet
Skin discoloration—blue, white, or purple-tinged
Leg cramping or weakness
Sores or cuts are slow to heal
Changes in toenail color or weakened nails
However, for many patients there are no obvious symptoms. For some, by the time there are indicators in the lower extremities, it means this dangerous condition is in an advanced state, leading to heart attack or stroke. For this reason, it’s a good to know other factors put you at higher risk for PAD, such as:
Family history of PAD, heart disease, or stroke
Being over the age of 50
Obesity
Sedentary lifestyle
High cholesterol
Smoking
If you have concerns about your risk of developing PAD, talk to your podiatrist. They will help you assess your risk for this disease. Don’t have a podiatrist? You can find one using our online directory.
What Can be Done?
Although a diagnosis of PAD can have severe medical ramifications for your feet (and the rest of your body), there are several ways you can reduce your risk of podiatric complications. Lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking will all help. There are also medications used to treat PAD, and in some cases, the doctor will recommend surgery to increase blood flow to your legs and feet.
To learn more about diseases that can impact the health of your feet, contact us and subscribe to our free e-newsletter.