Your Heart and Your Feet: The Important Connection

Do you know how your feet and their health connect to your heart health? It’s probably more significant than you would think. You may be surprised by their connection. And because this is American Heart Month, today Dr. Hubert Lee at CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists in Bellevue, WA, is sharing information regarding how your foot health can affect your overall health.

One of the reasons your feet can experience problems is because of the distance between heart and feet. When your heart’s pumping ability is reduced by something like PAD (peripheral arterial disease), it decreases the flow of blood to your feet, which can cause pain and swelling. 

When your feet don’t receive the oxygen they need, serious health problems arise. Here are some examples:

Foot pain and aches: Burning, shooting pain, or swelling in the feet can be credited to several conditions. For this reason, you should never ignore foot pain or consider it to be a normal part of your life.

Ulcerations or open sores that don’t heal: Sores that are open or don’t heal for a long time are symptoms of blood disorders such as anemia. They can also be caused by inflammatory conditions of the blood vessels or hypertension. 

High blood pressure, heart disease, and circulation problems: High blood pressure diminishes circulation and decreases blood flow. This can appear as a reduced temperature in the foot, a diminished pulse in the feet, or abnormal coloring. One concern with diminished blood flow is that it decreases the body’s ability to heal cuts or bruises, leading to infection.

Swelling or burning sensation in the feet: Visible swelling or a burning feeling could signal heart, circulatory, or kidney problems. It can also be an indication that your circulation is not properly functioning.

Diabetic nerve pain. Diabetes can affect the arteries in your feet and cause you to lose feeling. Numbness can also be caused by decreased circulation. 

Chronic heart conditions: If you suffer from heart disease, you know you must take preventive antibiotics before getting any type of surgery. Always let your podiatrist know about any medications you take for heart disease or anything else like high blood pressure so you avoid negative interactions between medications.

If you are experiencing any issues with your feet, don’t hesitate, to contact Dr. Hubert Lee at CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists in Bellevue, WA. You can schedule an appointment online or by calling us at 425-455-0936.