February is American Heart Month, so in recognition of the link between your feet and the health of your heart, we are covering peripheral artery disease (PAD) this week. The cause of PAD is fat deposits that narrow the diameter of the vessels and cause a whole host of problems with the feet and ankles that can also lead to stroke and heart attack if not taken seriously. Just the leg and foot spasms and pain should hopefully get you in to see your foot doctor for the proper care.

PAD (peripheral artery disease) often exhibits the following signs that may also be an indication of heart disease:

• You may have numbing, tingling, and in the lower legs, arms, and feet as well.
• Your skin will take on a shiny appearance.
• The growth of your toenails and hair will take much longer.
• A weak pulse will be detected in your legs and feet, and one foot will be colder.
• Cuts, scrapes, blisters, etc… take a long time to heal and may become infected.
• Foot and lower leg cramps are more common and more painful.

If you are exhibiting signs of circulation issues with your feet, seek treatment from your foot doctor for early detection and to help prevent a heart attack or stroke. At Your Next Step, our team of board-certified podiatrists has access to advanced technologies, along with years of experience, to help diagnose and treat a variety of foot and ankle problems, including sports injuries, joint pain, toe deformities, nail fungus, chronic tendon pain, and skin problems. Dr. Eric Ricefield, Dr. Mark Yagodich, and Dr. Aliza V. Eisen provide high-quality foot and ankle care to patients in the greater Philadelphia area at our offices conveniently located in Ardmore, Paoli, and Downingtown, PA. Please contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment.