The condition is a leading cause of death in the UK, and while some symptoms are well-known, one less recognised sign is leg pain
The disease is a ‘silent killer'(Image: Olga Pankova via Getty Images)
Brits are being told about a little-known warning sign of heart disease that could increase their chances of suffering a heart attack by “five times”. Heart disease, which happens when the heart’s blood supply becomes blocked or interrupted by a build-up of fatty substances in the coronary arteries, remains one of the UK’s biggest killers.
While certain indicators such as chest pressure, aching, or squeezing are widely recognised, one less obvious warning sign is leg pain. This can appear as a “gripping” or “cramping” feeling 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 has urged anyone noticing these signs to see their GP. It could signal peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a condition particularly common amongst smokers and diabetics.
A “gripping” or “cramping” sensation in the legs can be the sign of heart problems, a doctor has said(Image: Getty)
PAD, which can strike the same people at risk of heart attacks and strokes, develops when fatty deposits accumulate in the arteries, frequently causing pain while walking. In serious instances, it can result in gangrene and potentially amputation.
Heart expert Patrick Coughlin has warned of the increased risk of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) as we age, reports Gloucestershire Live. 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.
“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.”
There’s an increased risk of heart attacks for those with PAD(Image: Olga Pankova via Getty Images)
He also highlighted the increased risk of heart attacks for those with PAD. He said: “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.”, he added.
Coughlin offered advice on preventative measures, saying: “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.”