Correlation Between Plantar Fasciitis & Heart Disease

Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of foot pain. Heart disease is a term that covers different diseases that affect the heart and blood vessels. Plantar fasciitis often accompanies heart disease because the two have a similar cause in obesity.

About Plantar Fasciitis

• Plantar fasciitis is caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia, a band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot. The most common symptom is a stabbing pain in the foot when someone has been off his feet for a long time. Typically worst in the morning, it gets better as the foot limbers up. After sitting for a long period, however, the pain can come back.

Plantar Fasciitis Treatments

• Plantar fasciitis can be treated with Advil, Tylenol and other anti-inflammatory medications. A corticosteroid injection can also help. Another common treatment is physical therapy to stretch the plantar fascia and strengthen leg muscles. In severe cases, surgery to detach the plantar fascia from the heel bone may be necessary. Surgery, however, is usually a last resort.

Causes of Plantar Fasciitis

• Plantar fasciitis can be caused by problematic foot mechanics, exercises like ballet that put pressure on the foot or occupations that require long hours of standing. Age can also affect the chances of getting plantar fasciitis, with older people being at higher risk. A study in the "Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery," however, found that the most common cause of plantar fasciitis is obesity.

About Heart Disease

• Heart disease is a condition that narrows or obstrucst blood vessels, which can lead to chest pain, heart attack and stroke. Symptoms of heart disease include chest pain, shortness of breath or pain, tingling or numbness in the limbs. Heart disease often goes undiagnosed and untreated until someone has a stroke, heart attack or heart failure.

Causes of Heart Disease

• The older a person gets, the higher his risk of heart disease. High levels of stress and a family history of heart disease play a role in heart disease. High blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes can take a toll on the blood vessels and heart, leading to heart disease. Obesity also increases the risk of heart disease.

Correlation

• Plantar fasciitis and heart disease often occur in the same person. Although the two are unrelated, this happens because they have similar causes. Obesity is a leading cause of both heart disease and plantar fasciitis. And the older people get, the more likely they are to develop both plantar fasciitis and heart disease.