✅ Medically reviewed by Dr. Thomas Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatrist · Last updated April 6, 2026

High Blood Pressure & Your Feet — The Connection Your Doctor May Not Mention

Hypertension Has a Foot Problem

High blood pressure (hypertension) is one of the most common chronic conditions in America — and one of the most damaging to long-term foot health. While most discussions of hypertension focus on heart attack and stroke risk, the vascular damage it causes extends all the way to your feet. At Balance Foot & Ankle, we regularly see foot complications in patients whose hypertension wasn’t well-controlled for years.

How High Blood Pressure Damages Foot Circulation

Sustained high pressure damages blood vessel walls throughout the body. In the arteries, this damage accelerates atherosclerosis — plaque buildup that narrows and stiffens vessels. Over time, this vascular damage reduces blood flow to the extremities, leading to peripheral arterial disease. In the small vessels of the feet, hypertension-related microvascular damage impairs the ability to heal wounds and fight infection.

High blood pressure is also one of the primary drivers of diabetic complications — for diabetic patients, uncontrolled hypertension dramatically accelerates foot complications.

Signs Your Feet May Be Affected

Hypertension-related vascular changes in the feet often manifest as: persistently cold feet, slow wound healing, leg cramps during exercise, thin or shiny skin on the lower legs, and decreased hair growth on the feet and ankles. More advanced cases involve non-healing ulcers.

Coordinated Care: Internist + Podiatrist

The most effective management combines blood pressure control (from your internist or primary care physician) with proactive foot care (from your podiatrist). That’s exactly how we work with Vassallo Medical Group in Howell — Dr. Vassallo’s team manages hypertension and cardiovascular risk while we assess and protect the feet. This coordinated approach catches problems before they escalate.

If You Have High Blood Pressure, Your Feet Deserve Attention

Annual foot exams are recommended for all hypertensive patients, especially those who also have diabetes or elevated cardiovascular risk. Call Balance Foot & Ankle: (810) 206-1402. We serve all of Livingston County from our Howell office and Oakland County from Bloomfield Hills.

Professional Podiatric Care in Michigan: Balance Foot & Ankle’s Comprehensive Services

At Balance Foot & Ankle, Michigan patients receive comprehensive podiatric care across the full spectrum of foot and ankle conditions. Our fellowship-trained podiatrists provide conservative and surgical treatment for all foot and ankle pathology — from plantar fasciitis, bunions, and nail disorders to complex reconstructive surgery, diabetic foot care, and sports injuries. Our clinical approach prioritizes accurate diagnosis, evidence-based treatment selection, and honest communication with patients about realistic outcomes.

We serve patients in Livingston and Oakland counties from two convenient Michigan locations: our Howell office at 4330 E Grand River (serving Brighton, Hartland, Pinckney, Howell, and all of Livingston County) and our Bloomfield Hills office at 43494 Woodward Ave #208 (serving Troy, Birmingham, West Bloomfield, Farmington Hills, and all of Oakland County). Both offices offer in-office X-ray, same-week new patient appointments, and a full range of diagnostic and treatment services. We accept Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Medicare, and most Michigan insurance plans. Call Balance Foot & Ankle at (810) 206-1402 to schedule your appointment.

Related Treatment Guides

• Plantar Fasciitis & Heel Pain Treatment
• Custom 3D Orthotics
• Sports Foot & Ankle Injury Treatment
• Bunion Treatment

Michigan patients from throughout the region — Livingston County communities including Howell, Brighton, Hartland, Pinckney, and Fowlerville, and Oakland County communities including Bloomfield Hills, Troy, Birmingham, West Bloomfield, Farmington Hills, Pontiac, and Rochester — can access expert podiatric care at Balance Foot & Ankle. Our clinical team is committed to providing the highest standard of foot and ankle care available in Southeast Michigan, from routine preventive care to complex surgical intervention. Call (810) 206-1402 to schedule — we look forward to serving you at our Howell or Bloomfield Hills location.

Medical References & Sources

• American Podiatric Medical Association — Patient Education
• American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society — Foot Conditions

Clinical References

1. Fowkes FG, Rudan D, Rudan I, et al. Comparison of global estimates of prevalence and risk factors for peripheral artery disease in 2000 and 2010. Lancet. 2013;382(9901):1329-1340.
2. Criqui MH, Aboyans V. Epidemiology of peripheral artery disease. Circ Res. 2015;116(9):1509-1526.
3. Olin JW, Sealove BA. Peripheral artery disease: current insight into the disease and its diagnosis and management. Mayo Clin Proc. 2010;85(7):678-692.

Your Board-Certified Podiatrists

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Board-Certified · FACFAS

Dr. Carl Jay, DPM

Board-Certified Podiatrist

Dr. Daria Gutkin, DPM

Podiatrist

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a double board-certified podiatrist and foot & ankle surgeon at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists in Southeast Michigan. With over a decade of clinical experience, he specializes in heel pain, bunions, diabetic foot care, sports injuries, and minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Biernacki is a member of the APMA and ACFAS, and his patient education content on MichiganFootDoctors.com and YouTube has reached over one million views.