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Do you struggle with cold feet? Believe it or not, this may be a sign of a heart problem that can wreak havoc on the circulatory system and prevent blood from getting to where it needs to be. February is American Heart Month, so today Dr. Joel Segalman, Dr. Stephen Lazaroff, and Dr. Brittany Ciaramello at Performance Foot & Ankle Specialists, LLC are explaining what your feet may be telling you about your heart.
Because blood has to travel all the way down the body, the feet are most likely to experience the effects of poor circulation. Hairless toes or feet may be a signal that the heart is having trouble pumping blood through the body to the extremities.
Another symptom is digital clubbing, which appears as toes that turn upward at the tips due to severe swelling. While it’s still unknown if this condition is a direct result of heart disease or simply an indication of it, many doctors associate clubbing with severe cardiac ailments.
Additional warning signs include purple or bulging veins, paleness or difficulty locating a pulse on the inside of the ankle or the top of the foot.
Cardiovascular disease is the foremost cause of death in our country. To raise awareness, the American Heart Association developed February’s American Heart Month over 50 years ago.
So for the remainder of the month, make sure to keep a close watch on your feet. And always consider how your toes and feet are feeling – they might be telling you something important about your heart health.
Remember that taking a walk of a mere 3,000 to 4,000 steps per day can greatly decrease your chance of heart disease. That’s only between 15 and 20 city blocks – definitely doable on a daily basis in the right pair of walking shoes!
If you’re wondering how your feet may be affecting your heart health, take a moment this month to contact the offices of Dr. Joel Segalman, Dr. Stephen Lazaroff, and Dr. Brittany Ciaramello, at Performance Foot & Ankle Specialists, LLC to schedule an appointment.