Have you ever been surprised or wondered why when visiting your Podiatrist that they took your blood pressure even though you made the appointment for a foot ailment? This is actually very commonplace since Podiatrists are concerned about all aspects of their patient's health and wellness, not just specifically their lower extremities. The reason that blood pressure is checked is to look for signs of hypertension (high blood pressure) and vascular disease (heart and circulatory problems).
By checking blood pressure, Podiatrists may be the first one to detect hypertension and/or cardiovascular disease. The reason why this concerns Podiatrists is that it decreases circulation and reduces blood flow to the lower extremities. Increased swelling in the feet and legs in some cases means that hypertension has contributed to heart disease. Hypertension can also be a cause of ulcerations on the feet or legs. Ulcerations are open sores that don't heal at all or heel very slowly.
As a patient, it is your responsibility to notify your Podiatrist of any and all medical problems you may have in order to ensure the best treatment methods. Your Podiatrist is a member of your healthcare team and should be in contact with other physicians you may be seeing for your overall health.
Image by US Army Korea. (2011). Blood pressure check. Flickr.
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