Let’s be honest—unless you’re sitting down for a pedicure, most of us rarely give our feet a second thought. Out of sight, out of mind. But it turns out those parts of our body that keep us grounded can reveal far more than we realize. Health experts say that small, easily overlooked changes in our feet may point to serious conditions like heart disease or diabetes. Understanding the strong link between foot health and overall wellness can help us recognize early warning signs and know when our bodies are trying to tell us that something isn’t right.

The Connection Between Our Feet and Our Health

That’s right—our feet do more than signal sore muscles or uncomfortable shoes. They can also warn us about potential risks for serious health conditions. Noel Wicks, a pharmacist and advisor to Excilor, discussed this important link with The Express UK. She emphasized that paying attention to foot health is essential, as changes in the feet—from muscles and circulation to the condition of our toenails—can reflect a wide range of underlying health concerns.

“We need to keep an eye on our foot health, including our toenails, because it can impact on our overall health and be a sign of [serious] health issues.” She explained.

The truth is, we tend to overlook our feet—or even admit we don’t like them at all. But despite how often they’re ignored, feet are remarkably complex. Each foot contains 26 bones, 30 joints, and more than 100 muscles, along with an intricate system of blood vessels. They support our movement and mobility every day. Beyond that, they can also act as early messengers when something isn’t right with our health. One serious condition your feet may be signaling is heart disease.