A noticeable change in toenail growth may be a symptom of peripheral artery disease (PAD), which increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Peripheral artery disease is a disorder in which the accumulation of fatty deposits in the arteries restricts the blood supply to the leg muscles. PAD often develops in people who are prone to a heart attack or stroke. Slow nail growth and loss of toenail hair can indicate PAD and, with it, susceptibility to a heart attack, the Mirror reported, citing the British NHS health service.
“Brittle, slow-growing toenails, as well as unexplained hair loss on the legs and feet can also be a sign that something is wrong with your arteries, ”medics warn.
Doctors point out that the risk of developing PAD and its symptoms increases with age – after the age of 60, about one in five people has some degree of arterial disease. The presence of this pathology can also mean that a person has other health problems that determine his susceptibility to a heart attack – for example, hypertension or diabetes. Sometimes they all coexist in one “bouquet”.
External symptoms of high cholesterol: length of toenails and others
“If someone has PAD, they are much more likely to have a heart attack – the risk of a heart attack becomes three to five times higher than usual,” the experts stated.
According to them, PAD is mainly treated with lifestyle changes and taking medications. Regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy body weight are key ways to prevent it (as well as many heart diseases), the doctors stressed. Other actions that can improve cardiovascular health include quitting smoking, eating fruits and vegetables, moderate alcohol consumption, and getting regular check-ups.
High cholesterol symptoms: A certain length of toenails is a sign of problems
Earlier, the portal MedikForum.ru wrote that swelling of the legs can signal heart failure
Important!< /b> Information provided for reference purposes. Ask a specialist about contraindications and side effects and under no circumstances self-medicate. At the first sign of illness, consult a doctor.