As the weather drops, you might find your hands and feet get cold easily. But doctors warn the public to be on the lookout for a more serious condition that can start out feeling like a cold foot. Peripheral artery disease or PAD is a serious problem with the blood supply to the feet. If not treated, it can have devastating consequences. But a little exercise to encourage circulation could be all you need to keep it at bay.
This patient started to feel the soles of his feet were cold. They drained of color and felt numb and painful when he walked. He went to a doctor, only to discover he had peripheral artery disease, or PAD.
Dr. Chang Chia-hsiu
Cathay General Hospital
Most patients are males. This demographic of PAD patients has preexisting cardiovascular health problems. When our arteries are constricted, it causes plaque rupture, which blocks bigger arteries, such as the aorta in our thighs or even our abdomen, so thrombosis has already begun.
The prevalence of PAD in Taiwan is estimated to be between 15% and 32%. Five demographics are especially vulnerable: those aged over 50, smokers, and people with diabetes, high blood pressure, blood sugar or blood lipids. Men are also more susceptible than women.
Early-stage symptoms may be mild and can easily be mistaken for plantar fasciitis or simply coldness caused by icy weather. That can delay a trip to the doctor, with clinicians saying 30% of patients arrive in the clinic later than they should. In the very worst cases, they may resort to amputation.
Dr. Chang Chia-hsiu
Cathay General Hospital
And even, in the future, the likelihood of a serious cardiovascular incident is eight times higher than average, whether that’s the brain stroke we worry about, or a heart attack, or cardiac failure.
But you can check yourself for signs of PAD. Start by pressing down on your toenail and check if you can see the blood retreat. If it isn’t smooth or the nail breaks easily, that’s a warning sign. Leg hair falling off is a red flag too. The quickest checkup is to take your own pulse in your foot.
Dr. Chang Chia-hsiu
Cathay General Hospital
Start here and bring your finger down until you reach the most prominent part of the foot. Place two fingers here and press gently. If your pulse seems unbalanced to left and right, or you can’t find a pulse, then the circulation may have started to deteriorate.
Our blood vessels constrict more easily in cold weather. That’s the time to be especially careful. You can take extra care of your circulation even as you get up in the morning.
Don’t jump up in a rush. Stretch and give your limbs a wiggle to make sure they’re warm, then place your feet on the ground. This physical therapist suggests walking on the spot like this to get a basic workout at home.
Cardio problems are becoming more and more common among younger demographics. Taking good care of your blood circulation is important for everyone. As the temperature drops this winter, don’t forget your feet.
