Marilyn Cahatol

Article (news)

<p>MANILA — What many Filipinos dismiss as ordinary leg pain may actually be an early warning of a circulatory disease. </p><p>Speaking at the Usapang Puso sa Puso webinar on Aug. 26, Dr. Paolo Joel Nocom, chair of the Philippine Heart Association (PHA) Council on Coronary Artery Disease, explained that the leg has a pulse and it mirrors the heart health. </p><p>Nocom revealed that persistent or recurring leg fatigue could be a sign of limb ischemia (LI), a vascular condition linked to heart attack, stroke, diabetes and amputation.</p><p>“Kapag may bara sa ugat ng paa, malaki ang posibilidad na may bara rin sa ugat ng puso o utak,” he said.</p><p>LI, often caused by cholesterol deposits that narrow arteries in the legs, is a manifestation of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) and common among smokers, diabetics, and people with high blood pressure, stroke, or heart disease. </p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2025/5/17/-bangungot-triggered-by-heart-disorder-not-bad-dreams-specialists-1407">&#x27;Bangungot&#x27; triggered by heart disorder, not bad dreams — specialists</a></div><p>While some experience a symptom called claudication—a leg pain during walks but eases with rest—about 50% of patients show no symptoms, making early evaluation important for those with risk factors. </p><p>Nocom warns that PAD can progress silently from intermittent pain to rest pain, skin thinning, hair and nail loss, and even tissue death. If left untreated, it may lead to amputation. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>TWO FORMS OF &#x27;LEG KILLER&#x27;</strong></div><p>Nocom described two kinds of LI as Acute Limb Ischemia (ALI) and Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI).</p><p>ALI is sudden blockage of blood flow that can kill tissue within hours, and can lead to permanent disability or death if not prevented.</p><p>“Time is muscle,” the cardiologists said, emphasizing the “6Ps” as a diagnostic guide for ALI: Pain, Pallor, Pulselessness, Paresthesia, Paralysis, and Poikolothermia. The absence of a pulse or Pulselessness is the most critical red flag.</p><p>On the other hand, CLI developed gradually, often to people with diabetes, hypertension, or existing heart disease. </p><p>Nocom also noted the CLI causes chronic pain, non-healing wounds, and gangrene, with many patients requiring amputation. </p><p>He also urged that people should be alarmed by symptoms like persistent leg pain, especially at night or while at rest, sudden severe pain in one limb, coldness or numbness in legs, pale skin, and wounds that do not heal, as it may be a sign of CLI.</p><p>From January to October 2024, ischemic heart disease topped the Philippines Statistics Authority’s list of diseases that cause deaths.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2024/10/17/who-9-out-of-10-deaths-in-western-pacific-including-ph-due-to-noncommunicable-diseases-1409">WHO: 9 out of 10 deaths in Western Pacific including PH due to noncommunicable diseases</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>LIMITED TREATMENT, GREATER NEED FOR PREVENTION</strong></div><p>With limited vascular specialists, only 158 doctors in the Philippine Society of Vascular Medicine and 198 thoracic and cardiovascular surgeons nationwide, the PHA underscored the need for early LI detection, patient education, and multidisciplinary care. </p><p>Treatment, however, remains financially challenging.</p><p>The Philippine Association of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons (PATACSI) has pledged to lobby for the inclusion of limb ischemia treatment in PhilHealth packages, as many procedures are costly and available only in select hospitals.</p><p>“Sa ating bansa, mahal ang gamutan at limitado ang mga espesyalista,” Nocom said. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/1/6/philhealth-announces-increased-benefits-for-members-in-2025-1605">PhilHealth increases benefits for members in 2025</a></div><p>With only one cardiologist serving 44,000 Filipinos, the PHA continues to expand its flagship programs for 2025–2026, which include strengthening grassroots engagement through its 13 chapters, conducting national research of global relevance, and lobbying for “one cardiologist for every city.”</p><p>Nocom also added that the public should practice prevention under the PHA’s “Puso Muna” campaign. </p><p>This campaign encouraged people to follow the PHA’s “52100” lifestyle guideline: Five servings of vegetables and fruits, two grams of salt, one hour of physical activity, zero smoking, and zero sugary drinks.</p><p>Aside from doing a healthy living, consulting a doctor and following prescriptions are also important in preventing LI.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2025/4/29/study-links-chemicals-in-plastic-to-cardiovascular-deaths-0717">Study links chemicals in plastic to cardiovascular deaths</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jyUU8y1FC2M?si=byJQmxBY5vjS0y4B" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>Dr. Paolo Joel Nocom revealed that persistent or recurring leg fatigue could be a sign of limb ischemia (LI), a vascular condition linked to heart attack, stroke, diabetes and amputation.</p>

Dr. Paolo Joel Nocom revealed that persistent or recurring leg fatigue could be a sign of limb ischemia (LI), a vascular condition linked to heart attack, stroke, diabetes and amputation.

Leg pain may signal more trouble, doctor warns

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Leg pain may signal more trouble, doctor warns

Celine Ashley Tabunda,

ABS-CBN News Digital Intern

Published Aug 30, 2025 12:54 PM PHT

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limb ischemia

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