Your Feet and Heart Connection
What do foot pain and your feet have in common with your heart? More than you would expect. You may be surprised at what they have in common. Your foot health can provide important indicators of your overall health, even though your feet are physically distant from your heart.
Distance from the Heart
One reason your feet can develop problems is because of the distance they are away from your heart. When the heart’s pumping is strained by something like peripheral arterial disease (a condition that reduces blood flow to the limbs), it reduces the flow of blood to your feet, making them hurt or causing them to swell. When the feet do not get the oxygen they need from properly pumped blood, serious health problems arise.
Foot aches and pain – Swelling, burning, or shooting pain in the feet can be attributed to several conditions. You should never ignore foot pain or think of it as something you have to live with as a normal part of your life.
Dr. Jarman, a highly qualified podiatrist, cares about what happens to the entire body, not just your feet. Your podiatric physician should be interested in all of your health treatments and regimens. High blood pressure and circulatory problems are of particular concern. Tell Dr. Jarman if you have any of these conditions or if treatments you are undergoing change.
Cardiovascular (Heart) Disease, Circulation Problems, and High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure causes a decrease in circulation and reduces blood flow. This presents itself as:
- Decreased temperature in the foot
- Abnormal coloring
- Diminishing pulses in the feet
One concern with a decrease in blood flow to the feet is that this decreases the body’s ability to heal bumps, bruises, or cuts, which can lead to infection.
Non-Healing Ulcerations or Open Sores
Sores that are open and do not heal or take a prolonged period to heal are often symptoms of anemia or other blood disorders. This can be caused by hypertension or inflammatory conditions of the blood vessels. Podiatrists are good at finding ulcerations, but be sure to mention if you have ever experienced this before. Poor circulation or underlying vascular disease can also contribute to non-healing ulcers, so seeking medical attention is crucial.
Burning or Swelling in the Feet
Make sure to tell your podiatrist if you ever feel an odd sensation in your feet. Sensations of burning or visible swelling could indicate kidney, heart, or circulatory problems. Foot pain and burning in the feet are indications that your circulation is not functioning well. Proper diagnosis and treatment are key to addressing these symptoms.
If you experience these sensations, make an appointment with your podiatrist right away. Remember, there is a strong relationship between your foot discomfort and your overall health. Get yourself checked out!
Diabetes Issues – Diabetic Nerve Pain in Your Feet
Diabetes is a condition that you must discuss with your podiatrist. It can affect the smaller arteries in your feet and cause you to lose feeling in them. Numbness is also a result of decreased circulation. Diabetes can lead to neuropathy (nerve damage) and increase the risk of ulcers and infections. If you have diabetes or pre-diabetic high blood sugar, talk to your podiatrist. You should also let him know if you are taking insulin or any other medication to control your diabetes.
Chronic Heart Conditions (Rheumatic Fever-Related Heart Disease)
As a patient with rheumatic heart disease, you know you must take prophylactic antibiotics before getting any type of surgery. Also, you should always let your podiatrist know about any medications you take for rheumatic heart disease or anything else like high blood pressure. You want to avoid any medications interacting with one another.
Dr. Jarman’s goal is to provide all patients with optimal foot care at affordable prices at Preferred Foot And Ankle Specialists of Arizona. He endeavors to deliver compassionate care, is sensitive to all of his patients, and takes the time to explain all diagnoses, treatments, and medications.
Remember, your feet may be far from your heart, but they have more in common than you think!
To better understand the link between your feet and your heart, consider the following points:
- Foot pain and swelling can be indicators of poor circulation, which can result from heart-related issues
- Non-healing ulcers or open sores on the feet can signify anemia, blood disorders, or vascular disease
- Burning or swelling in the feet may point to kidney, heart, or circulatory problems
- Diabetic neuropathy can lead to complications such as ulcers and infections, emphasizing the importance of proper foot care and communication with your podiatrist
By staying vigilant about your foot health and working closely with your podiatrist, you can help maintain your overall health and potentially detect heart-related issues early on.
If you live in the Phoenix area and require podiatry services for foot pain, you can book an appointment online 24/7, or call 480 497-3946 today for an appointment.
