Your Heart and Your Feet: What’s the Connection?

Your heart and your feet go hand in hand, so to keep your feet healthy, you need to keep your heart healthy and vice versa. In observance of American Heart Month, in today’s post, Dr. Hubert Lee at CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists in Bellevue, WA, shares some things your feet may be telling you that could signal a problem with your heart.

Your heart, which is actually a muscle, pumps blood throughout your body, from the tips of your fingers to the ends of your toes. Your blood delivers oxygen and nutrients to the cells in your body.

Because our feet reflect our overall general health, problems with our feet can be the first indication of a more serious medical problem such as neuropathy, peripheral artery disease, heart disease, or diabetes. 

If you have any of these symptoms, schedule a visit with your physician immediately.

• Achiness, fatigue, burning, discomfort, or pain in the muscles of your calves, thighs, or feet. These symptoms often appear during exercise or walking and subside after several minutes of resting.
• Swelling in your lower legs and feet indicates a heart problem. When your heart isn’t moving enough blood, fluid can gather in your feet and legs, causing them to swell.
• Numbness in your feet or legs when you are resting. Your legs may also look pale and feel cool to the touch.

Keep your heart and your feet healthy by doing the following.

• Eat a healthy diet that includes vegetables, whole grains, and fresh fruit. 
• Exercise regularly, at least 30 minutes a day. Walking is the best way to keep your feet and your heart healthy!
• Visit your podiatrist for regular screenings. A podiatrist can detect more serious medical problems such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

If you experience any of the symptoms listed above or are concerned about your foot health, contact Dr. Hubert Lee and his team at CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists in Bellevue, WA. You can schedule an appointment online or by calling us at 425-455-0936.