Items filtered by date: April 2015

Poor blood circulation in the feet and legs is often caused by peripheral artery disease (PAD), which is usually the result of a buildup of plaque in the arteries. Plaque buildup, or atherosclerosis, can be the result of excess calcium and cholesterol in the bloodstream. This restricts how much blood can flow through arteries. Reduced blood flow to a certain area of the body severely limits the amount of oxygen and nutrients that part of the body receives. This leads to degeneration in the muscles and other tissues. Sometimes, poor blood circulation in the feet and legs can be caused by other conditions, such as the damaging or inflammation of blood vessels, known as vasculitis.

The lack of oxygen and nutrients caused by poor blood circulation can restrict muscle growth and development, as well as cause muscle pain and cramps, weakness, and stiffness. Other common symptoms include numbness in the legs and feet, skin discoloration in the affected limbs, slower nail and hair growth, and erectile dysfunction in men. In more severe cases of PAD, pain can be present even when a person isn't exercising, and may range from mildly uncomfortable to completely debilitating.

Poor blood circulation in the feet and legs is more common in those who are overweight or obese, have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, who smoke, or who have a family history of PAD or related conditions such as a heart attack, stroke, etc. Diabetes and smoking place a person at greatest risk for developing poor blood circulation, although advanced age, over 50, can also increase risk.

If you are experiencing poor blood circulation in the feet and legs caused by PAD, it is important to make changes to your lifestyle in order to reduce your risk of experiencing a heart attack or stroke caused by this condition. If you smoke, quit completely. This will increase the amount of oxygen in your bloodstream. Exercising and reducing the saturated fats in your diet. Saturated fats come from fatty meats, fried foods, whole milk, etc., can make a difference in improving blood circulation in feet. It is also important to avoid developing influenza and to carefully control your blood sugar if you have diabetes.

Your doctor may recommend combining lifestyle changes with a prescription medication regimen to improve blood circulation. The most commonly-used medications for PAD are called statins and work by blocking the amount of enzymes in your body that produce cholesterol. They are known by the brand names Zocor, Lipitor, Crestor, and others.

Thursday, 09 April 2015 08:15

Keeping the Heart Healthy With a Heart Walk

It is no surprise that at Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center we care about feet, but another health concern we hold close to our hearts is heart disease. That is why our team took their feet to the pavement and eagerly participated in the 2015 Orange County Heart and Stroke Walk. This event strove to raise money and awareness for the severity of cardiovascular disease for medical research and for methods of prevention.

You aren’t alone if you didn’t realize the seriousness of this condition, but here are some important facts about heart disease that reveal exactly how concerning it can be.

Facing the Facts about Heart Disease

According to the American Heart Association:

  • Heart Disease is the leading cause of death
  • Over 375,000 U.S. citizens die from heart disease
  • No. 1 cause of death in women
  • Every 43 seconds, someone in America is affected by heart disease
  • About 635,000 people a year have their first heart attack

Prevention Intervention

These statistics are no doubt alarming to say the least. So, what are a few steps you can take to help prevent heart disease?

Whether you are taking part in a Heart Walk or playing soccer or working out at the gym, physical activity is one important factor in reducing the risk of this disease. Exercising 30 minutes or more a day can manage your body weight and help eliminate conditions such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure that put stress on the heart.

Hand in hand with exercise, is the factor of maintaining a healthy diet. Heart healthy foods like beans, grains, fruits and vegetables are excellent choices. However, foods that are deep-fried or loaded with trans and saturated fats are unnatural and unhealthy. They can increase your cholesterol as well as your chances for a heart attack. Eliminating these food choices from your diet and other health-risks like tobacco, are great ways to prevent heart disease.

Healthy Heart & Happy Feet

These were just a few steps to take to keep your heart healthy. If those steps have literally left you with foot issues or if you are interested in participating in a Heart Walk with us in the future, please contact our foot and ankle care center. We are eager to help you follow the road to better health.

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