Britons are being urged to recognise leg pain as a potential warning sign of heart disease, a condition that remains one of the UK's leading causes of death. While chest pressure and aching are well-known symptoms, experts say a 'gripping' or 'cramping' sensation in the legs may indicate peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which significantly raises the risk of heart attack.
Professor David Newby, BHF John Wheatley Professor of Cardiology at the University of Edinburgh, advises anyone experiencing such leg pain to consult their GP. PAD occurs when fatty deposits build up in the arteries, often causing pain during walking. In severe cases, it can lead to gangrene and amputation.
Heart expert Patrick Coughlin warns that about one in five people over 60 in the UK have some degree of PAD. He notes that risk factors include smoking, diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure. 'If you have intermittent claudication, your risk of heart attack is three to five times higher than normal,' he says.
Coughlin recommends preventive measures such as stopping smoking, managing blood pressure and diabetes, and taking blood thinners like aspirin and statins to reduce heart attack risk. The condition affects both men and women and can run in families.
