Your feet work hard daily, yet we often overlook what they might be signaling. Health experts caution that there are two “silent killers” in our feet that can develop without obvious symptoms, potentially leading to serious consequences like infections, amputations, or life-threatening complications.
Changes in our feet, such as those in color, temperature, or nail texture, can serve as early signs of major health issues like heart disease and diabetes. These small alterations might be our body’s way of alerting us.
Feet and Heart Disease
Our feet are the farthest from the heart, so they’re usually the first to display signs of poor circulation. Noel Wicks, a pharmacist and health advisor, told the Express that the tiny blood vessels in our toes are especially prone to fatty blockages, which is a common early sign of heart disease. As Wicks said, “We need to keep an eye on our foot health, including our toenails, because it can [have an] impact on our overall health, and be a sign of [serious] health issues.”
According to WebMD, the symptoms might include:
- Cold feet: Poor circulation makes it difficult for warm blood to reach the extremities, resulting in persistently cold feet even in warm weather.
- Slow-healing wounds: Minor cuts or blisters may take an unusually long time to heal, suggesting insufficient blood supply.
- Pain while walking (Claudication): There could be aching or cramping in the feet and legs during physical activity, which lessens when resting.
- Discoloration: Feet may look pale, blue, or have a purplish tint due to reduced blood flow.
- Cramping: Cramping in the hip, thigh, or calf muscle when climbing stairs or walking.