Pain and numbness in leg? Cardiologist alerts it’s not arthritis but an overlooked symptom of heart disease

Have you ever been mistaking numbness in your leg as cramps from sitting too lengthy or one thing akin to a pulled leg? This may very well be a warning signal of a silent coronary heart situation, making it one of many ignored illnesses. Do not disregard your leg ache!(Freepik) ALSO READ: Navratri 2025: Heart specialist warns your garba night time could trigger this well being danger; suggests dos and don’ts for security Dr Palani Kannan, an interventional heart specialist at Apollo Spectra Hospital, Chennai, informed HT Way of life in an interview that it is a quite common situation. It’s linked to the center and infrequently stays undiagnosed, making it a extremely ignored coronary heart illness. Elaborating extra in regards to the illness, he stated, “Peripheral arterial illness (PAD), also referred to as peripheral vascular illness, is a typical situation characterised by the buildup of fatty plaque that restricts or reduces blood provide to the leg muscle tissues. This results in a painful ache in your thighs or calves (intermittent claudication) that tends to vanish after some time usually, offered you’re taking relaxation.” One of many greatest causes it’s ignored? Persons are not capable of detect it, or the least they assume it to be arthritis, because the heart specialist remarked. The shortcoming to attract the connection to the center is what makes it ignored incessantly and ‘undiagnosed.’ Often, heart-related illnesses’ signs present up within the chest, jaw, arm discomfort, in different phrases, the torso, so the connection to the decrease physique is troublesome to ascertain. The heart specialist additional elaborated in regards to the lack of seen signs, “As there aren’t any seen signs, individuals typically affiliate it with arthritis within the hip, ankle, or foot. This can lead to it being undiagnosed usually. The most typical kind is decrease extremity PAD, during which blood stream is lowered to the legs.” Who all are in danger? These with hypertension are in danger.(Freepik) Figuring out the chance elements helps you determine the situation simply. Dr Palani Kannan revealed these 8 danger elements: Folks with: Excessive blood pressureHigh cholesterolDiabetesObesityAge >50yearsFamily historical past of beforehand identified coronary heart illness.Elevated ranges of homocysteine, smoking, and many others, could make you inclined.Even youthful people with poor life-style habits are more and more affected.What are the frequent signs of peripheral artery illness?If you find yourself cautious, you’ll be able to really spot the signs which might in any other case go unnoticed or dismissed as another, much less regarding concern. Listed below are 5 signs the heart specialist shared: Leg ache whereas strolling (relieved by relaxation).Shiny pores and skin or hair loss within the legs.Weak spot or numbness within the legs.Sluggish and brittle development of nails.A change in your pores and skin color.Easy methods to stop this? Add chia seeds to your food plan! It’s heart-healthy due to fiber and antioxidants. (Freepik) Why is prevention essential? As a result of in extreme instances, limb amputation may be wanted. The heart specialist reiterated the worth of prevention, “Better consciousness and well timed motion can save not simply limbs, however lives.” Listed below are the 5 prevention measures, Dr Kannan shared: Quitting smoking is the one most essential step, as tobacco severely damages arteries.You should continually monitor your blood strain, levels of cholesterol, and blood sugar ranges and keep them inside a wholesome vary.It’s important to keep up your weight. Keep throughout the wholesome weight vary.Keep away from fatty meals which are saturated in nature. Attempt adopting a nutritious diet plan that features extra chickpeas, kale, corn, avocados, chia seeds, almonds, and lentils to enhance your blood stream.Study to handle your stress whereas getting high quality sleep.Word to readers: This text is for informational functions solely and never an alternative choice to skilled medical recommendation. At all times search the recommendation of your physician with any questions on a medical situation.