Experts say leg cramping or gripping sensations could increase heart attack risk by up to five times
People are being warned about a lesser-known symptom of heart disease that could heighten their risk of a heart attack by “five times”. Heart disease, which develops when the heart’s blood supply becomes blocked or disrupted by a build-up of fatty substances in the coronary arteries, remains a leading cause of death in the UK.
Whilst certain symptoms such as chest pressure, aching, or squeezing are widely recognised, one less familiar warning sign is leg pain. This can present as a “gripping” or “cramping” sensation in the legs, according to David Newby, BHF John Wheatley Professor of Cardiology at the BHF Centre of Research Excellence at the University of Edinburgh.
He recommends anyone experiencing these symptoms to seek medical advice from their doctor, as it could signal peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a condition frequently found amongst smokers and diabetics. PAD, which can impact the same individuals as heart attacks and strokes, develops when fatty deposits accumulate in the arteries, often resulting in painful walking and, in severe cases, can progress to gangrene and even amputation.
Heart expert Patrick Coughlin has shed light on the growing risk of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) as we age. Speaking to the British Heart Foundation, he said: “People are at an increased risk as they age. About one in five people over 60 in the UK have some degree of PAD,” and “The same things that raise your risk of heart disease and stroke – including smoking, diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure – also raise your risk of PAD. In particular, we are seeing a rise in PAD as a result of increased cases of diabetes. It affects both men and women and sometimes it can run in families.”
He also highlighted the increased likelihood of heart attacks for those suffering from PAD, stating: “And importantly if someone has PAD then they are a lot more likely to have a heart attack. If you have intermittent claudication (limping or pain when you walk), your risk of heart attack is three to five times higher than normal.”
Mr Coughlin offered advice on how to prevent these risks: “So we would start by trying to reduce your heart attack risk, for example by stopping smoking, testing for (and treating) high blood pressure and diabetes, and taking a blood thinner (such as aspirin) and a statin.”
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