What Can Brittle Toenails Tell You About Your Heart?
You might think your feet only require attention when they hurt, but your toes can reveal massive secrets about your cardiovascular health. At The Foot & Ankle Center of Maryland, we constantly educate patients that aesthetic changes are often early medical warnings. If you are noticing sudden hair loss on your toes or brittle, slow-growing nails, it is time to check for poor circulation in your feet.
Before you blame your age or a simple fungal infection, here is what your toes are trying to tell you about your heart.
The Canary in the Coal Mine
Your feet are the furthest appendages from your heart, meaning they are the very last stop on your circulatory highway. Because of this distance, they are highly sensitive to any disruptions in blood flow.
· When your cardiovascular system is compromised by a buildup of plaque within your arteries (a condition known as Peripheral Artery Disease, or PAD), the blood struggles to reach your lower extremities.
· Without a constant, rich supply of oxygen and nutrients, the living tissues in your toes simply stop functioning optimally.
Spotting the Subtle Skin and Nail Changes
Patients rarely feel their arteries narrowing in the early stages, but they can see the results. If you are dealing with PAD, you will likely experience a combination of these symptoms, which involve cold and numb toes.
Missing Toe Hair: Hair follicles require massive amounts of oxygen to produce hair. If your toes are suddenly smooth and shiny, the follicles have likely died from a lack of blood flow.
Arrested Nail Growth: If you realize you haven't had to use a pair of nail clippers in months, your body is actively conserving blood by shutting down nail production.
Thin, Waxy Skin: Your skin may take on a tight, polished, or almost translucent appearance due to malnourishment.
Protecting Your Vascular Health
Because the arteries in your legs are a direct extension of the arteries serving your heart, poor circulation in your feet is a massive red flag for a future heart attack or stroke.
The good news? You do not have to live in fear of these complications!
For our patients dealing with high blood pressure or diabetes, we also recommend getting fitted for a pair of protective, Medicare-approved Custom Diabetic Shoes to prevent minor scrapes from turning into non-healing ulcers.
Questions? Concerns? Contact the office of Dr. Ross Cohen of The Foot & Ankle Center of Maryland in Glen Burnie, MD, at (410) 761-3501 to schedule your initial diagnostic appointment.
We look forward to meeting you!