I would like to add a “footnote” (pun intended).
Everyone knows the seriousness of a heart attack: damage caused by a lack of blood supply to the heart for an extended time. But how many people know that they can get the same clots in the blood vessels to their feet?
Just like for the heart, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, and limiting dietary fat reduces the progression of this disease called Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD). New treatment options (medications and procedures) have made it now possible to reverse symptoms.
What are the symptoms?
- Feet feel cool to touch.
- Leg pain or cramping when walking.
- Foot pain during the night.
- Sores that do not heal.
If any of these apply to you, please come in right away. PAD is treatable as long as tissue damage doesn’t develop. Just like the chest pain that precedes a heart attack, don’t ignore these warning signs!