Your legs ache again, so you take what you think is the right first step to get back in step: You soak them in a warm bath with Epsom salts. Or you use a heating pad.
But leg pain that recurs — and isn’t directly traceable to a cause, such as an extra-hard workout — may not be a leg problem at all. It could be a cardiovascular problem.
Our cardiologist and vein expert, Dr. Ola Akinboboye, knows that heart disease doesn’t always announce itself clearly. In addition to silent killers, such as hypertension, cardiovascular issues may take the form of unintuitive symptoms, including leg pain.
At our office in Rosedale, Queens, New York, he conducts tests for peripheral artery disease (PAD), which often creates heavy, painful legs. He also treats varicose veins, which can cause similar symptoms.
How do you know if your heavy, aching legs need a cardiologist’s care?
If standard self-care remedies don’t alleviate the pain and heaviness in your legs, or if you get cramps regularly, you may have PAD. You develop PAD when your arteries narrow due to plaque buildup.
Plaque is a hardened deposits of fat that restrict the flow of your blood. Since your legs are the farthest point from your heart, it’s extra difficult for your heart to pump blood through those clogged arteries and veins.
Your legs feel tired, achy, and maybe even crampy because they’re not getting the blood they need. The pain may disappear after you rest and then reappear when you walk or move around. That’s because your legs need extra blood and oxygen when they’re working hard, but they’re not getting it.
Not everyone with PAD has varicose veins, but those twisty, torquey ropes of damaged blood vessels are often associated with PAD. Varicose veins can cause a condition called chronic venous insufficiency, which also robs your legs of blood and oxygen. Signs that you have either venous insufficiency or PAD include:
If you’re a man, you may also experience erectile dysfunction (ED).
Even if you don’t have varicose veins, you could have another health condition that’s associated with plaque accumulation (i.e., atherosclerosis) and PAD. Take your leg pain seriously if you also have:
Another sign that you have PAD is that you also have arm pain. Leg and arm pain that worsens with activity is a clear signal to see a cardiologist.
Your cardiologist will administer a number of tests to see if you have PAD or another condition that’s responsible for your leg pain. Dr. Akinboboye may order:
If Dr. Akinboboye diagnoses PAD based on his evaluation and test findings, he then custom-designs a treatment plan to help your heart and arteries.
You may need medications to lower cholesterol and control blood pressure or blood sugar. However, Dr. Akinboboye always recommends lifestyle changes to improve your cardiovascular and overall health, too, including:
If medications and lifestyle changes don’t bring relief, he may recommend surgery to remove clots or insert a stent to keep your artery open. However, surgical remedies are rarely needed.
Could your leg pain be a cardiovascular issue rather than a muscular one? Call us at 718-208-4816 or fill out our online outreach form for an evaluation and PAD or varicose vein treatment today.
