These signs are often blamed on aging or long days on your feet. But did you know your legs can also reveal important clues about your heart health?
Your heart pumps blood to every cell in your body — and your legs, being the farthest from the heart, are often the first place where circulation problems become visible.
Why the Legs?
Gravity
Blood in the lower body must travel upward against gravity. When the heart weakens, this upward flow becomes inefficient, causing fluid or blood to pool in the legs.
Circulation
Heart disease reduces the heart’s pumping ability. Slower, weaker circulation often shows up in the feet and legs long before other symptoms appear.
Fluid Balance
When the heart struggles, pressure builds up in the veins. This pushes fluid into surrounding tissues — especially in the legs and ankles.
Oxygen Delivery
Poor heart function means less oxygen reaches the extremities. This leads to skin changes, cold limbs, and slower healing.
5 Warning Signs on Your Legs That May Signal Heart Problems
