Do-It-Yourself diagnosis is usually a pretty bad idea; that is, unless you just so happen to have the letters M.D. that appear at the end of your signature. But for those of us without years of medical school under our belt, assuming that a particular pain, dysfunction, or even blotchy patch of skin is nothing to be concerned about can sometimes be a highly problematic for our health.

The British edition of Men's Health addresses the self-diagnosis problem in the article "7 Deadly Signs," describing how minor symptoms may actually signal major health hazards. Over the next seven days, we will provide a daily summary of one of the various aches and pains that may be indicative of a greater problem, illustrating the importance of maintaining open lines of communication with your physician and why DIY diagnosis can sometimes be dangerous.

Health Sign #3: Leg Pain

Could Possibly Be: Heart Disease

Citing researchers from the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center, Men's Health reports that experiencing leg pain while walking or running is a common symptom of cardiovascular disease. The researchers further stated that if the pain in your leg stops when you stop moving, but worsens when carrying weight or when moving quickly, it may be an early sign that you're at a higher risk for heart attack or stroke as "the arteries supplying the lower limbs narrow."

Links to:
Health Sign #1: Pain in Your Foot
Health Sign #2: Back Pain