Leg pain is common, but it can signal underlying health conditions, including those related to the cardiovascular system. Understanding these connections, especially to heart health, is important.
Understanding the Connection to Heart Health
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a primary way leg pain connects to heart health. PAD occurs when arteries, particularly those supplying the legs, narrow due to atherosclerosis. This involves plaque buildup on artery walls, restricting blood flow. Reduced blood flow means leg muscles may not receive enough oxygen during physical activity.
This oxygen deprivation manifests as claudication: pain, cramping, or tiredness in leg or hip muscles that occurs with activity and subsides with rest. PAD is “heart-related” because it indicates widespread atherosclerosis, the same condition affecting arteries supplying the heart and brain, increasing heart attack and stroke risk.
Risk factors for PAD are similar to those for heart disease: smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and increasing age. Smoking is the most significant risk factor, increasing PAD risk by 400%. Early diagnosis and management, including lifestyle changes and sometimes medication, are important to improve symptoms and reduce broader cardiovascular risks.
Other Serious Circulatory Causes
Beyond PAD, Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is another serious circulatory cause of leg pain. DVT involves a blood clot within a deep vein, most commonly in the legs. Unlike PAD, which affects arteries, DVT involves the venous system, carrying blood back to the heart.
Common DVT symptoms include swelling, pain, tenderness, warmth, and redness in the affected leg, often starting in the calf. While some individuals may not experience noticeable symptoms, DVT’s seriousness lies in the risk of pulmonary embolism (PE). A PE occurs if a blood clot breaks off, travels through the bloodstream, and lodges in a lung blood vessel, which can be life-threatening.
Risk factors for DVT include prolonged immobility (e.g., long travel, bed rest), certain medical conditions like cancer or heart failure, pregnancy, and birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy. A personal or family history of DVT or PE also increases the risk. If DVT symptoms are suspected, prompt medical attention is important to prevent serious complications like PE.
Common Non-Circulatory Causes
While serious circulatory conditions can cause leg pain, many instances stem from more common, less severe issues. Musculoskeletal problems are frequent culprits, including muscle strains, sprains, shin splints, and tendinitis.
Nerve-related issues can also lead to leg pain. Sciatica, for example, results from sciatic nerve irritation or compression, causing sharp, burning pain radiating from the lower back down the leg, sometimes with tingling or numbness. Peripheral neuropathy, nerve damage often linked to diabetes, can cause numbness, tingling, or burning sensations in the legs and feet. Joint problems, such as various forms of arthritis, can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the knee, hip, or ankle joints. These non-circulatory causes are frequently the more likely explanation for leg discomfort.
Knowing When to Get Help
Immediate medical help should be sought for sudden, severe leg pain, especially if it occurs with swelling, redness, or warmth. Other concerning signs requiring urgent evaluation include sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, lightheadedness, or fainting, as these could indicate a pulmonary embolism.
Consult a healthcare professional if leg pain is accompanied by a swollen, pale, or unusually cool leg, or if there is numbness or weakness. Persistent or worsening pain, or pain that does not improve with home care, should also prompt a medical consultation. These symptoms can signal conditions requiring professional diagnosis and treatment.