Heart Disease Symptoms and Side Effects/Physical Symptoms and Side Effects

Are Cold Hands and Feet a Sign of Heart Problems?

Medically reviewed by Vedran Radonić, M.D., Ph.D.

Updated on August 21, 2026

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Key Takeaways

Cold hands and feet are a common experience that can have many causes, ranging from chilly weather to medical conditions like anemia, hypothyroidism, and Raynaud's phenomenon.

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Do your hands and feet often feel cold, even when it’s warm outside? Cold hands and feet can be uncomfortable and worrying, especially if you or a loved one has poor circulation or heart disease.

Understanding the possible causes can help you know when it’s time to see a doctor.

Common Causes of Cold Hands and Feet

Cold hands and feet can happen for many reasons. They’re usually harmless and caused by issues that are temporary and easily fixable, like cold environments.

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Cold weather cools the hands and feet. When it’s cold outside, your body tries to keep your vital organs warm by narrowing the blood vessels in the body parts farthest from your heart. This reduces blood flow to your hands and feet but helps keep more heat near your heart.

Poor circulation can also cause cold hands and feet. If your blood isn’t flowing well, it may not reach your extremities (arms, hands, legs and feet) in the amount needed to keep them warm. Poor circulation can happen if you sit in a chair too long or you wear tight clothing.

While lifestyle factors and temporary changes are common causes, poor circulation can also be caused by many different medical conditions.

Medical Conditions That Can Cause Cold Hands and Feet

There are a few medical conditions that can cause your hands and feet to feel unusually cold.

Anemia

With this condition, you don’t have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout your body. Without enough oxygen, your hands and feet can feel cold. Anemia can be a short-term or long-term condition.

Hypothyroidism

If your thyroid doesn’t make enough hormones, it can slow down your metabolism. Your metabolism is the process by which your body turns food into energy. When it slows down, your blood doesn’t flow as well, which can lead to weight gain and cold extremities.

Raynaud’s Phenomenon

This condition causes some areas of your body, such as your fingers and toes, to feel numb, cold, and painful in response to stress or cold temperatures. It happens when the small arteries that supply blood to your skin narrow too much, temporarily reducing blood flow.

While many of these conditions can be easily managed with treatment, you may be wondering whether poor circulation can be a sign of heart disease.

Can Cold Hands and Feet Be a Sign of Heart Disease?

For people living with heart disease, cold hands and feet can be a common annoyance. “Like many people with heart problems, my body hates the cold — especially my hands,” one MyHeartDiseaseTeam member shared.

In most cases, cold hands and feet aren’t a sign of heart disease. However, cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) problems can affect circulation. It’s important to understand when this may be linked to a more serious condition.

Peripheral Artery Disease

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) develops when the arteries that supply blood to your limbs — mainly your legs — become narrowed. This blockage is caused by plaque buildup. This can reduce blood flow to your extremities, mainly causing cold feet or toes.

PAD is often a sign of widespread cardiovascular disease, which means if you have PAD, you’re at a higher risk for heart attacks and strokes. If you have cold feet along with leg pain that starts when you walk and gets better when you rest, talk to your doctor right away.

Congestive Heart Failure

Heart failure occurs when the heart isn’t pumping enough blood to meet the body’s needs. This can lead to poor circulation, as the body works to maintain blood flow to the brain and other important organs first. When blood flow is reduced, it can cause cold hands and feet.

Heart failure can also lead to edema (fluid buildup) in the legs, ankles, and feet, which can further reduce blood circulation and lead to cold extremities. If you have cold hands and feet along with trouble breathing, lightheadedness, and edema, talk to your doctor right away.

High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure can damage blood vessels over time. This can make it harder for blood to flow properly throughout the body. Blood flow to the hands and feet can be reduced which can cause your hands and feet to feel colder.

When To Seek Medical Attention for Cold Hands and Feet

If you often have cold hands and feet, especially if you have heart disease or are at risk for it, pay attention to your symptoms and know when to seek medical help.

“My hands go white,” shared one MyHeartDiseaseTeam member living with Raynaud’s. “I see a vascular doctor, and being treated with amlodipine helps.”

Here are some signs that you should contact a healthcare provider:

Your hands always feel cold — If your hands and feet are persistently cold, even in warm environments, you may have poor circulation.
You have other symptoms — Such as chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, ulcers, or swelling in your legs. These could be symptoms of heart failure or other conditions.
Your hands and feet change color — If your fingers or toes turn white, blue, or red, it could be a sign of Raynaud’s phenomenon.
You feel numbness or tingling — This could also be a sign of Raynaud’s.

Seek medical attention right away if you have sudden shortness of breath, numbness, severe pain, or a loss of feeling in your extremities. These symptoms may be signs of a medical emergency.

Improving Circulation and Heart Health

If you’re experiencing cold hands and feet due to heart problems or poor circulation, there are several lifestyle changes and treatments that can help improve your blood flow and heart health.

Lifestyle Changes

Certain lifestyle changes can keep your heart healthy and happy. Making one small change at a time can make all the difference in the long run. Here are some good places to start:

Exercise regularly — Physical activity can reduce stress and fatigue. It can also improve circulation by helping your heart pump more efficiently and promoting better blood flow to your extremities.
Quit smoking — Smoking can damage your blood vessels and reduce circulation. Quitting smoking can improve blood flow and reduce your risk of PAD.
Manage stress — High stress levels can affect your heart rate and blood pressure, which can lead to poor circulation. Relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga can help reduce stress and improve circulation.
Limit your drinking — Too much alcohol can raise your blood pressure and harm your heart. Limiting your alcohol intake can support heart health and healthy blood flow.

Dietary Changes

Just like the lifestyle you choose, the foods you eat can have a direct effect on your heart throughout your life. You can improve your general heart wellness if you:

Eat a heart-healthy diet — Eating foods that are good for your heart, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats, can help improve your overall cardiovascular health and blood flow.
Avoid foods high in salt, sugar, and saturated fats — These foods can increase your risk of heart problems and poor circulation.
Stay hydrated — Drinking enough fluids can support healthy blood circulation. However, fluid needs are different for everyone. Some people may need to adjust their fluid intake based on their medical condition or guidance from their doctor.

Medical Treatments

If you have heart disease or poor circulation, your healthcare provider might prescribe medications to help improve your heart function or blood flow. These might include blood pressure medications, blood thinners, or medications to lower high cholesterol levels.

In some cases, you may need surgery or procedures to improve blood flow or treat a blocked artery. Your healthcare provider can discuss these options with you if they’re necessary.

Talk With Your Doctor

Cold hands and feet can be caused by many factors, including environmental conditions, poor circulation, and certain medical conditions. Most of the time, these symptoms are nothing to worry about. But they can sometimes be signs of cardiovascular system disease.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you’re concerned about cold extremities and possible cardiovascular issues. They can help you understand what’s causing your symptoms and suggest the best course of action to improve your circulation and heart health.