Two 'silent killer' health conditions to watch out for in your feet

Feet can be a key indicator of serious health issues, a pharmacist has warned.

Heart disease and diabetes are among the most severe conditions that your foot health can point towards, pharmacist Noel Wicks said. Swollen feet and brittle toenails are among the signs to look out for, he added.

Mr Wicks, advisor to Excilor, said: "We need to keep an eye on our foot health, including our toenails, because it can impact on our overall health and be a sign of [serious] health issues.

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Each foot consists of 26 bones, 30 joints and over 100 muscles, along with numerous blood vessels, the Mirror reports. Blood vessels in the toes are small and can easily become blocked by fat, which is a sign of heart disease.

Mr Wicks explained that this process can lead to symptoms like cold, numb, painful, or swollen feet. He added: "Thickening and brittleness of toenails may also occur with heart disease."

The pharmacist warned that signs of diabetes in the feet can be easily overlooked because they are so subtle. He suggested keeping an eye out for symptoms such as tingling, burning or pain, a loss of sense of touch, cracked, dry skin, blisters and sores which refuse to heal.

Additionally, Peripheral arterial disease (PAD), also known as peripheral vascular disease (PVD), is a common condition where fatty deposits build up in the arteries, restricting blood supply to leg muscles, according to the NHS. The website says: "Many people with PAD have no symptoms. However, some develop a painful ache in their legs when they walk, which usually disappears after a few minutes' rest."

The medical term for this is 'intermittent claudication'. The pain can range from mild to severe, and usually goes away after a few minutes when you rest. Both legs are often affected at the same time, although the pain may be worse in one leg.