Cold toes, swollen ankles? Your feet could be warning you about your heart

A common cause of oedema in the legs and feet is congestive heart failure – which causes one or both of the heart’s lower chambers to stop pumping blood efficiently. The result can be blood backed up in our legs, ankles and feet, causing swelling.

Several other signs in your feet may indicate problems with your cardiovascular health, Farnan says.

Having cold feet is one.

It is normal to have a relatively gradual drop in skin temperature from the top of the legs to the feet, but if the feet suddenly feel much colder, this may be a sign of blockage in the arteries. If your feet are always cold, you should seek medical advice to rule out any significant issues.

If your toenails are growing more slowly than usual, your foot may not be getting sufficient blood flow, Farnan says. It is normal to experience a gradual slowdown in blood flow as we get older, but quick changes are a sign to get checked out by your doctor or podiatrist.

If there is a partial blockage in the artery that pumps blood to your legs and feet, it will not deliver sufficient nutrients for new nails to grow.

A change in skin colour may also be a warning. As you look down your legs to your feet, a subtle change in skin colour is normal. But if the skin further down is much paler, it could be a sign of decreased blood flow to the extremities, Farnan says, a condition known as reduced arterial perfusion.

Leg pain and cramping, especially when lying down, may also be an alert.

“Lying down and sleeping result in a reduction of blood flow to the feet and this may exaggerate any underlying health issues,” says Farnan.

It can be an indication of peripheral artery disease – plaque build-up in the arteries that limits the blood flow to your limbs and organs.

Another potentially more serious symptom is “intermittent claudication” – pain, deep aches and cramping in the legs that are only present during exercise and that quickly subside once you stop.

Do not ignore this sign: it may indicate a possibly more advanced disease.

As with all conditions, the sooner you consult a doctor about your symptoms, the sooner direct treatment can start and the better the outcome.

Farnan says it may be difficult to see how significant the problem may be if you notice only one of these symptoms. “Looking for a variety of them will give you an idea if there’s something to be concerned about,” he adds.

“Noticing these signs only in one foot and not the other is another critical indication to get assessed by a medical professional as soon as possible.”

If you do have cardiovascular disease, it is crucial to take care of your feet to help manage your condition.

To keep your cardiovascular system in tip-top shape, Lo advises:

• not smoking;

• eating a diet that is low in salt, fat and sugar – and abundant in fruit and vegetables;

• exercising for at least 30 minutes a day;

• controlling your blood pressure, blood sugar and blood cholesterol levels; and

• seeing your doctor for regular medical check-ups.