Better To Have Hair On Your Feet Than Your Head

Better To Have Hair On Your Feet Than Your Head

A lack of hair on your feet may be a sign of circulatory problems, explains Andrew Manganaro, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Life Line Screening:

When I was a resident surgeon, many years ago, one of my professors, himself a world renowned vascular surgeon, once said, "It is better to have hair on your feet than on your head."

A receding hairline on your head may not be your favorite look, but lack of hair on your feet is much more dangerous. It is could be a sign that your feet are not getting adequate blood flow.

The good news is that this can be checked with a simple screening that measures the blood pressure in your feet called an Ankle-Brachial Index. This screening can let you know if you are at risk for Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) or other circulatory problems.

Are your feet giving you a warning sign?
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The Wall Street Journal's Melinda Beck also reports on the value of feet in evaluating circulatory health in her June 23rd article "What Your Body is Telling You." She writes, "Circulatory problems can manifest as numbness and tingling in the feet... When circulation is compromised, even a minor scratch or sore on the feet can become infected easily."

People with diabetes are at increased risk and should conduct regular checks of their feet for scratches. Life Line Screening offers several packages that include screenings for diabetes and PAD.