Cold Feet? It Could Be More Than Just the Winter Weather

One in every three deaths in the United States is related to cardiovascular disease, but did you know that persistent cold feet can sometimes be a symptom of circulatory problems?

Many people notice that their hands and feet feel colder than usual when winter arrives. At Vascular Surgery Associates, LLC, we help patients recognize the differences between everyday seasonal discomfort and symptoms that require medical attention.

Why your feet get cold in winter

Cold weather naturally tightens your blood vessels to help your body maintain a stable core temperature. This vasoconstriction reduces blood flow to your extremities, leaving your fingers and toes feeling cold. For most people, warming up solves the problem quickly.

However, if your feet stay cold long after you return indoors — especially if you notice color changes, numbness, or discomfort — you may be dealing with more than just the temperature outside.

When cold feet signal circulation problems

Your blood vessels act like highways, delivering oxygen and nutrients throughout your body. When these pathways narrow or become blocked, your tissues don’t receive the correct amount of blood. Cold feet are often one of the first warning signs.

Vascular conditions can cause chronic coldness in the feet, including:

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)

PAD develops when a sticky cholesterol residue called plaque builds up in the arteries, narrowing the blood vessels and limiting blood flow. PAD often causes cold feet, leg pain when walking (claudication), slow-healing wounds, and skin temperature or color changes.

Atherosclerosis

This hardening of the arteries develops over time and can reduce blood supply to your legs and feet. It’s the chief cause of coronary artery disease (CAD) and carotid artery disease, which can cause heart attacks and a stroke.

Raynaud’s phenomenon

The sudden narrowing of small blood vessels in people with Raynaud's causes the digits to turn white or blue and feel cold or numb.

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)

When veins struggle to push blood back toward the heart, circulation in the lower legs may suffer, often leading to varicose vein formation. Studies show that one of the key symptoms in patients with CVI is a cold hypersensitivity.

Risk factors you should not ignore

Anyone can experience cold feet; however, certain factors increase your chances of having an underlying vascular condition, including:

Smoking
Diabetes
High cholesterol
High blood pressure
A family history of vascular disease
Being over 50
Lack of physical activity

Pay close attention to changes in your feet if you have one or more of these risk factors. Even mild symptoms can provide early clues that your circulation needs support.

How we evaluate cold feet and circulation concerns

At Vascular Surgery Associates, LLC, we use noninvasive testing to identify the cause of your symptoms. One of the most common tools is a vascular ultrasound, which specifies how blood flows through your arteries and veins and helps find blockages, narrowed areas, or other abnormalities.

We may also perform an ankle-brachial index (ABI) test, which compares blood pressure in your ankles to the pressure in your arms. This test can reveal whether you have PAD.

Our goal is to understand what’s happening beneath the surface so we can guide you toward effective, personalized treatment.

Treatment options for cold feet

If your cold feet result from a vascular condition, addressing the issue early can improve symptoms and protect long-term health. Depending on your diagnosis, treatment may include:

Lifestyle changes

Quitting smoking, staying active, and following a heart-healthy diet can significantly improve circulation.

Medication

Drugs that lower cholesterol, manage blood pressure, or improve blood flow can help reduce symptoms and slow disease progression.

Minimally invasive procedures

Angioplasty and stenting, or other advanced interventions, may restore proper blood flow in some cases.

We take a patient-centered approach, helping you understand your options and select the treatment plan that best fits your needs and goals.

When to seek care for cold feet

Give your cold feet attention when:

The feeling doesn’t improve with warmth
You notice color changes (pale, blue, or purple skin)
You experience numbness or tingling
You develop leg pain while walking
You have wounds that don’t heal

These symptoms can signal reduced circulation, which may worsen without treatment. Visiting a vascular specialist early gives you the best chance to prevent complications.

Cold feet may seem like an annoyance, but they can offer important clues about your vascular health. The Vascular Surgery Associates, LLC, team works with you to uncover the cause and create a plan that supports stronger circulation and a healthier future.

If your cold feet feel different this winter, don’t ignore them. Reach out by phone or online today to one of our Maryland offices for an expert evaluation.