Cold Feet Could Signal a ‘Silent Killer’: The Hidden Condition You Shouldn’t Ignore

Do your feet remain cold despite wearing socks? If it is a recurrent issue, doctors say it may be because your cholesterol levels are high. According to experts, while you may attribute sudden chills to the grim winter weather, persistently cold feet can be a serious issue. Also known as “silent killer” - due to its elusive signs, high cholesterol can go unnoticed for years or until it triggers other health complications, which include heart problems, heart attacks, and strokes. However, doctors say frozen feet happen due to poor circulation obstructed by high cholesterol – a condition known as peripheral artery disease or PAD, a cardiovascular disease. PAD causes plaque accumulation in the arteries of the legs and feet, a process called atherosclerosis,

which builds up, constricts, or blocks the arteries, impeding blood flow and resulting in cold feet. When the blood supply is inadequate, the tissues in the legs, ankles, and feet struggle to receive the oxygen and nutrients they require, potentially leading to a variety of symptoms as the disease progresses.

What is PAD?

PAD limits how much blood can get through and may lead to symptoms like leg pain and numbness, which can lead to cold feet. The condition is treatable, especially when diagnosed early. According to data, PAD affects more than 200 million people across the world – mostly those over 40 years of age. Anyone can develop peripheral artery disease, but your risk goes up with age.

What causes PAD?

Since your arteries are shaped like hollow tubes, they have a smooth lining that prevents blood from clotting and promotes steady blood flow. When you have PAD, plaque slowly forms inside your artery walls, narrowing the space where blood can flow. Many plaque deposits are hard on the outside and soft on the inside, allowing platelets to come to the area. Blood clots form around the plaque, making your artery even narrower. If plaque or a blood clot narrows or blocks your arteries, blood cannot get through to nourish tissues beyond that point. Those tissues may even start to die, as this happens most often in your toes and feet.

Other signs and symptoms of PAD

While the first symptom of PAD is leg discomfort when you are active, a few other possible symptoms include:

Leg discomfort when resting

It happens when the condition becomes more severe, making you feel a burning or aching pain in your legs, feet, or toes. This often happens when you are lying flat.

Foot and toe ulcers

These are wounds on your skin that may get infected and take a very long time to heal.

Changes in skin colour

A sudden blockage in your artery can make your skin turn purple, green, black, or very pale, which can also feel cool to the touch or have a pins-and-needles sensation.

Discomfort in your butt, hip, or thigh

Due to the narrowing of the lower aorta, you may feel discomfort in your pelvic area

Discomfort in your calf

There is a narrowing of your femoral or popliteal arteries

Risk factors for PAD

You have a higher risk of getting peripheral artery disease if you have:

• A history of smoking
• Chronic kidney disease
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol or triglycerides