If people come in and say my chest hurts, that gets attention, but if they say my leg hurts when I walk a couple of blocks, most doctors don’t think that is a big deal.
Most people think “clogged” artery disease, or arteriosclerosis, only happens in the heart however it does happen throughout the body especially in the legs. When it does, it’s called peripheral arterial disease (PAD). PAD causes leg pain that acts as an ‘early warning’ that someone is at high risk for a heart attack or a stroke.
This week Cardiovascular Labs of America launches a powerful program beyond our endovascular procedures that fights deep inflammation that causes cardiometabolic disease. It also has been proven to reverse heart disease in some cases.
Most doctors recommend disease-modifying drugs. Dr. Messner and I recommend lifestyle changes that include food, movement, sleep and breathing as the first intervention. See the image. If you have any of these risk factors and have cold feet, leg pain and calf cramps or numbness it’s time you call. A two minute painless test covered by insurance may be the best thing you’ve done in a while.
Also Read: Listen To Your Legs. Leg Pain May Be A Potential Sign Of Peripheral Artery Disease