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In this article:
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While sore feet aren’t a direct symptom of a heart attack, they may be a sign of peripheral artery disease (PAD), which is related to heart disease.
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Some of the symptoms of PAD could include a weakened pulse in your foot and leg cramping when you’re walking or exercising.
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If you have been experiencing foot pain, it’s a good idea to see your primary care provider first to rule out other causes.
Your sore feet may be warning you of heart disease
If you’ve ever experienced chronic foot pain, you know just how difficult it can be to endure. There are, of course, many possible reasons for this discomfort. One of the more serious ones is peripheral artery disease (PAD), a condition that narrows the arteries in the limbs.
So, does this mean your sore feet are a warning sign of heart disease? Not exactly, says Alejandro Perez, M.D., a Providence vascular medicine specialist who sees patients in Portland, Oregon. “PAD is not a sign of heart problems,” he says. “It is an indicator of increased risk for heart disease.”
In other words, your aching feet could mean PAD, and that could occur alongside heart disease. It’s a close enough relationship, however, that it’s worth making a doctor’s appointment with your primary care physician.
Understanding peripheral artery disease (PAD)
PAD, also called peripheral arterial disease, is when your arteries become narrowed, reducing blood flow to your arms and legs. It’s usually a sign that you have a condition called atherosclerosis, which is a buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries.
The main symptoms of PAD include:
- Leg pain while walking
- Cramping in the arms or legs
- Leg numbness or weakness
- Pain when using the arms
- Coldness in the lower leg and foot
“People usually experience PAD symptoms when they’re walking a distance, and especially when they’re going uphill,” says Dr. Perez. “Most commonly, there’s a relief to the pain after they rest.”
Four signs your feet may warn of heart problems
While pain in your feet or legs generally does not signal the onset of heart problems, many people aren’t even aware of the possibility that it’s related to cardiac disease. Below are four signs that could indicate you’re at risk for heart disease.
Foot pain and heart disease connection
Foot pain could be connected to heart disease. When heart disease restricts blood flow to the feet due to poor output, it can deprive the tissue of oxygen and nutrients, causing pain, numbness and slower wound healing.
Leg cramps and claudication
If you experience leg cramps or pains while you are walking that get better when you rest (a condition called claudication), this can signal peripheral artery disease caused by clogged arteries.
Skin changes and temperature differences
When there is reduced blood flow to the extremities, it can cause (among other effects) cold feet — even in a warm environment. This can also result in changes in skin color.
Weakened pulse in one or both feet
Another possible sign of peripheral artery disease is no pulse or a weakened pulse in your foot. This could indicate there has been an interruption of blood flow to your leg and foot.
Is foot pain a symptom of heart problems?
There are many reasons why you could be experiencing foot pain that have nothing to do with heart disease, says Dr. Perez. “First, we need to rule out something obvious like trauma or musculoskeletal injury,” he says. “That’s why it’s a good idea to see your primary care provider.”
Further, not everyone with PAD shows symptoms. Health experts say as many as 40% of those with PAD show no signs of the condition.
But if you are at risk for PAD, it’s especially important to seek care. Patients who are at increased risk for peripheral artery disease include those who:
- Are older than 65
- Are between the ages of 50 and 64, but who have risk factors for atherosclerosis such as diabetes, a history of smoking or high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease or a family history of PAD
- Are younger than 50 but have diabetes and at least one other risk factor for atherosclerosis
The good news: Diagnosis and treatment
While it can be challenging to recognize that leg or foot pain is related to the condition of the arteries, the good news is that it’s relatively easy for a health care provider to diagnose peripheral arterial disease.
There is a range of non-invasive options for checking whether the arteries in your feet or legs have narrowed and present a health risk. The choices include:
- A test known as the ankle-brachial index, which employs a blood pressure cuff
- A treadmill test
- Arterial duplex ultrasound
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Computerized tomography (CT)
When a more definitive test is needed, your vascular specialist may elect to pursue invasive testing such as an angiogram.
If you show signs of atherosclerosis, here’s more good news: In many cases, it may be treated simply by making lifestyle changes. This means avoiding smoking, reducing the consumption of alcohol, eating a healthier diet and getting more exercise. More aggressive treatment options may include medication, angioplasty or vascular surgery. But all are common, high-success-rate procedures.
When to see a Providence heart specialist
As Dr. Perez noted above, in many cases it’s best to see your primary care provider first. But if you are at high risk for PAD or heart disease, make an appointment with a Providence heart specialist right away. It’s important that you catch it early so you have the best chance for a full recovery.
Contributing caregiver
Alejandro Perez, M.D., is a Providence vascular medicine specialist who sees patients in Portland, Oregon.
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This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care professional’s instructions.
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