Restless Leg Syndrome, a neurological disorder characterized by nighttime irresistible urge to move one’s legs, may be a sign of hidden heart problems in some people.
A new study of 584 patients suggested that the annoying nighttime condition is linked to a problem known as left ventricular hypertrophy, in which the wall of the heart becomes thicker, making pumping blood more difficult.
According to the medical literature, left ventricular hypertrophy is associated with an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.
The new study showed that 45 percent of participants who twitched at least 35 times per hour were more likely to have the thick-heart condition than those who kicked less often.
The researchers also found that older men were more likely to move their legs more frequently while asleep and had a higher incidence of coronary artery disease.
“What is new about this study is that it appears Restless Leg Syndrome is another risk factor that may predispose patients to and lead to more complications of left ventricular hypertrophy,” said lead author Dr. Arshad Jahangir from the Mayo Clinic.
“We are not saying there is a cause-and-effect relationship,” just that restless legs might be a sign of heart trouble that doctors and patients should consider, Jahangir added.
Restless Leg Syndrome affects many people around the world, most of them in older ages, while about 12 million Americans suffer from the disorder.
Previous studies have showed that the sleep disturbing condition itself increases the heart rate and blood pressure in some patients.
”Similar mechanisms may be contributing to left ventricular hypertrophy, but this needs to be confirmed,” Jahangir said, adding that future research should assess whether treatments for Restless Leg Syndrome can prevent left ventricular hypertrophy.
People with restless legs shouldn’t panic, but it’s worth talking with doctors about whether more tests are needed to look for an enlarged heart, the lead researcher said.
—PResstv