Your feet and your heart go hand in hand. To keep your heart healthy, you need to keep your feet healthy.
Your heart is a muscle that works to pump blood through your body, and your blood is responsible for bringing oxygen and nutrients to all the cells in your body - from the tips of your fingers to the ends of your toes.
The health of your feet can be directly related to the health of your heart. Because feet mirror general health, foot problems can be the first sign of more serious medical problems such as heart disease, peripheral artery disease, diabetes, and neuropathy.
If you have any of the symptoms below, talk to your doctor right away.
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Swelling in your feet and lower legs is a sign of heart problems. When your heart doesn’t pump enough blood, fluid can build up in your feet and legs causing swelling. (1)
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Pain, achiness, fatigue, burning, or discomfort in the muscles of your feet, calves, or thighs. Symptoms that often appear during walking or exercise and go away after several minutes of rest. (2)
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Numbness in your legs or feet when you are at rest. Your legs may also feel cool to the touch, and the skin may look pale. (2)
So be sure to keep your feet and your heart healthy by:
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Exercising regularly, at least 30 minutes a day. Walking for exercise is the number one way to keep your HEART and your FEET healthy!
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Eating a nutritious diet that includes whole grains, vegetables, and fresh fruit.
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Get regular screening exams from your podiatrist. A podiatrist can help detect more serious medical problems such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
If you have foot pain, or swelling in your lower legs, or are concerned about the health of your feet, make an appointment with a podiatrist in Long Beach by calling 562-433-0478. Learn more about keeping your feet healthy in our patient education library. Not ready to make an appointment but want to keep our contact info handy? Save our contact details for future reference. We're here to help whenever you're ready to learn more about our services and locations.
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