The Surprising Link Between Leg Discomfort and Cardiovascular Health

Everyone experiences occasional leg pain. Whether it’s from a long day on your feet, an overuse injury, or even something as simple as sitting in an odd position for a while, pain in one or both legs is often nothing to worry about. Certain kinds of leg pain, however, can signal a heart issue.

At Heart Care, we’re proud to serve residents of Frisco, Texas, including with tips on spotting the less obvious signs of heart conditions. 

Here’s how leg pain is connected to your heart health, and what to do if you experience ongoing leg discomfort. 

It all comes down to circulation

Leg pain is linked to heart health because of basic human anatomy. With each heartbeat, your heart pumps oxygenated blood into your arteries. That blood travels through the arteries to all areas of the body. 

Because your legs are so far from your heart, they often feel the first effects when blood flow is reduced. The most common cause of heart-related leg pain is a condition called peripheral artery disease, or PAD. 

This happens when a sticky substance called plaque accumulates on the lining of your artery walls. Over time, that plaque builds up and begins to block normal blood flow. When this happens in your legs, it can show symptoms earlier than in other areas of your body. 

Think about it: your blood flow has already slowed down a bit by the time it reaches your legs, simply because of the distance from your heart. So if those arteries don’t allow easy passage to the lower part of your body, you may feel discomfort in your legs. 

Leg pain doesn’t always feel the same way

Heart-related leg pain can show up in many different ways. Some of the changes you might notice if you aren’t getting enough blood flow to your lower body include:

• Pain when walking
• Cramping when you walk or stand
• Pain when you climb stairs
• Sensation of muscle soreness
• Feet or legs that feel abnormally cold
• Tingling
• Numbness

It’s important to note that PAD can cause discomfort in nearby areas, like your hips or feet. You might also notice discoloration in the skin on your legs, or slower growth in your leg hair or toenails. For men, erectile dysfunction is sometimes the first sign of peripheral artery disease. 

If you have arterial plaque in your legs, it’s likely present elsewhere

Often, when plaque accumulates in the arteries of the lower body, it also builds up in other blood vessels, including the heart. That’s why it’s so important to listen to your body’s signals and act. 

The team at Heart Care offers state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment services for leg pain. We can determine if a heart health issue like peripheral artery disease might be causing your discomfort. If so, we can explain your treatment options and begin a path that can reduce your risk of serious heart health outcomes like a heart attack. 

And if there’s no sign of peripheral artery disease or another heart health concern, you’ll have the peace of mind that comes with a clear bill of heart health, and we can discuss ways to keep your heart healthy as you move through the phases of life. 

Booking a visit at Heart Care is fast and simple. You can call us during normal business hours to speak with a member of our administrative staff, and our online booking tool is available any time of day.