Having ‘persistent’ cold hands and feet can be a sign of something serious, experts said.
Medical professionals have cautioned that a “persistent” symptom affecting the hands and feet could be a warning sign of a “silent killer”. Continually experiencing cold hands and feet might suggest elevated blood pressure.
Writing for the British Heart Foundation (BHF), senior cardiac nurse Regina Giblin outlined the connection between chilly extremities and blood circulation. She said: “During cold weather your blood vessels constrict (vasoconstriction), which causes your blood pressure and heart rate to rise.
“This means your heart has to work harder to pump blood around your body. Your body will make sure blood flows to your vital organs such as brain, lungs, and kidneys first, which can leave your hands and feet feeling chilly.
“Your hands and feet can appear pale or bluish and feel numb and tingly. This is a normal response to the cold, but if your heart is not working as well as it should or you have poor circulation, your hands and feet may feel even colder than usual.”
She noted that “other heart and circulatory conditions” can also trigger continuously cold hands and feet. These include both elevated and reduced blood pressure levels.
Additionally, she cautioned that peripheral artery disease which limits blood circulation to the legs and feet, along with heart failure, can lead to cold hands and feet.
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Further to this she warned that peripheral artery disease that restricts blood flow to the legs and feet and heart failure can trigger cold hands and feet. However, conditions not related to the heart such as thyroid problems, diabetes, anaemia and even anxiety or stress “can also cause cold hands and feet”.
She continued: “If your hands or feet stay cold, even in warm surroundings, and your skin looks pale, blue or blotchy, or you feel tingling, numbness or pain, or see ulcers on your legs, speak to your GP. They will be able to investigate to see if you have a more serious medical condition.”
Her caution is supported by specialists at Medichecks, who identified elevated blood pressure as a possible trigger for chilly hands and feet. They explained: “When your body is cold, blood is drawn away from extremities (such as your hands and feet) to re-direct heat to your vital internal organs.
“If you have poor circulation, it means that your body is not moving blood to where it should be, and you may start to experience symptoms.” The Cleveland Clinic similarly recommended having persistently cold hands and feet examined.
It stated: “But if your hands feel cold all the time (even when you’re not in a cold place), it might be a sign something else is going on. If your hands are cold all the time, even when you haven’t been in or near cold, it might be a symptom of an issue or health condition that affects blood flow to your hands.”
Experiencing cold hands and feet doesn’t automatically indicate you’re suffering from high blood pressure or cardiac problems. One of the most frequent culprits is Raynaud’s disease.
This condition causes blood vessels in your fingers and toes to narrow abruptly. Those with Raynaud’s may also observe the affected skin changing colour and developing a blue, white, or purple colour. When circulation returns, your hands may appear discoloured and feel warm.
Elevated blood pressure represents a primary trigger for cardiac events and strokes. Nevertheless, it’s frequently dubbed a “silent killer” because it rarely produces noticeable symptoms.
If you have concerns about your blood pressure, or if you experience consistently cold hands and feet, you should consult your GP.
