Cold feet are one of the most common complaints in the vascular clinic. Many people feel that their feet are cold. In some cold feet are present all the time. In others the feet become cold in response to various situations. For vascular medicine doctors this complaint can be confusing. There are many causes for cold feet. Some causes are benign. Others are important to diagnose early. Some can be treated. Others can not. This article is all about the causes for cold feet.
Cold feet and the surrounding temperature
The most common cause for cold feet is a cold surrounding. When the surroundings are cold, the body shuts off blood flow to the extremities in order to keep the center of the body warm. The feet are the first to be shut down. This can result in a cold sensation.
Cold feet? Think about your circulation
The most important reasons for cold feet are linked to the circulation. Properly flowing blood keeps the feet warm. When there is not enough blood flow the feet become cold. It is as simple as that. This is why as a vascular medicine doctor I will always think of the following reasons when a patient asks me about cold feet:
Artery blockages are a common cause for cold feet
Artery blockages are by far the most common reason for not enough blood arriving at the feet. Without enough blood the body cannot keep the feet warm. Obviously blood needs to get to the feet in order to keep them warm. People with artery blockages usually have a disease called peripheral artery disease. People with peripheral artery disease cannot get blood to their feet.
Peripheral artery disease is probably the most common cause for cold feet. If the peripheral artery disease is severe the feeling may be constant. In mild cases of peripheral artery disease a person’s feet may just be more sensitive to the cold than others’. But that is not all. Patients with peripheral artery disease have even more trouble when their feet are elevated. This is why some people complain of cold feet only when getting into bed. These people typically feel better by dangling their feet over the edge of the bed. This way gravity helps with getting more blood to the feet and keeping them warm.
Unfortunately cold feet are not the biggest problem people with peripheral artery disease face. They are also prone to injury and non-healing sores. For this reason people who have peripheral artery disease are advised to take particular good care of their feet. This includes comfortable shoes, foot and skin care. This is also why people who suffer from cold feet should may sure they do not have peripheral artery disease.