A warning from the BBC medical expert Dr Xand van Tulleken may change how you view leg pain experienced first thing in the morning. On BBC Morning Live, Dr Xand stressed that such discomfort should never be brushed off as mere aging.
Leg aches are common, but persistent or unusual pain deserves a thorough medical evaluation. Helen Skelton, the segment’s presenter, noted that one in five people over 60 suffers from blood vessel disorders—a statistic that makes recognizing symptoms all the more vital.
Dr Xand explained that leg pain could be a sign of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a condition where blood vessels in the legs narrow and harden, reducing blood flow. This disease shares the same dangerous mechanisms as those causing heart attacks and strokes. The narrowing vessels can cause leg pain similar to angina, a pain experienced in the heart during exertion, and if completely blocked, it can be as serious as a heart attack—but affecting the legs.
READ MORE: Cotswold Council Faces Backlash After Withdrawing from Moreton-in-Marsh Housing Inquiry
READ MORE: Huge Anticipation Builds as Coro Lounge Café-Bar Set to Open in Gloucester City Centre
PAD often develops quietly; many have no symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they often begin with intermittent claudication, a cramping leg pain that emerges during walking and eases with rest. This pain may be experienced in one or both legs and can vary from mild to severe.
According to the NHS, symptoms progress gradually, but rapid worsening signals a medical emergency. Dr Xand described the pain as a deep, heavy ache caused by insufficient oxygen reaching the muscles. It is not pain experienced at rest but one that manifests during activity and improves with rest.
Visible signs on the legs also offer clues. Dr Xand pointed to hair loss on the legs, cold feet, non-healing ulcers or wounds, mottled skin, and slow-growing toenails as indicators of poor blood supply.
Smoking is a key risk factor, along with high cholesterol, hypertension, and diabetes. Dr Xand advised that moderate exercise, though it may cause initial discomfort, is beneficial. Exercise promotes new blood vessel growth, improves circulation, lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, reduces stress, and better controls blood sugar.
Recognizing these subtle signs and seeking prompt medical advice can prevent severe complications, underscoring the importance of not ignoring leg pain experienced upon waking.