If you experience heel pain it may be worth you having your cholesterol levels checked, recommends ‘The Acupuncturist’ (the magazine for members of the BacC).  Scientists at Manchester Royal Infirmary studied patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH), in which a gene mutation compromises the body’s ability to remove cholesterol from the bloodstream. 47% of those with this condition had experienced significant heel pain (lasting more than 3 days).  HeFH causes Achilles tenosynovitis due to the deposition of excess cholesterol in the tendon as xanthomata.  This condition affects 1 in 500 people in Europe but early diagnosis followed by dietary and lifestyle changes can result in normal life expectancy. If the condition is undiagnosed until late in life it may already have caused significant coronary heart disease.  
Source: Annals of Rheumatic Disease (2006) 65:312-315 www.annrheumdis.com