Image credit: Esther Curtis
Q. I’ve always had good circulation but for the past couple of years, my hands and feet have been noticeably colder – so much so that people often comment when they shake hands with me.
I first noticed the change after starting treatment for heart problems. Could there be a link?
Cold extremities – typically the hands, feet and/or tip of the nose – are a common complaint in older people and there are myriad potential causes, including a side effect of medication.
One possible link in your case is that some types of drugs used to treat heart problems like angina – the beta blocker family of drugs ending in -lol, such as atenolol and bisoprolol – can reduce blood flow to your hands and feet.
You don’t say what your heart problem is, or what you have been prescribed, but if you are on a beta blocker you should mention your hands and feet to your GP as they may be able to try a lower dose or consider an alternative (but this isn’t always possible).
Other potential causes of your symptoms range from over-reactive small blood vessels (Raynaud’s phenomenon) to underlying rheumatological conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and furred up circulation (peripheral arterial disease), although this normally mainly affects the feet.
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