WHAT IS PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE

healthymen101.comPeripheral artery disease (also referred to peripheral arterial disease) is a common circulatory problem in which narrowed arteries lower blood flow to your limbs.

When you develop peripheral artery disease (PAD), your extremities — usually your legs — don’t receive enough blood flow to keep up with demand. This creates symptoms, most notably leg pain when walking (claudication).

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Peripheral artery disease is also likely to be a symptom of a more widespread accumulation of fatty deposits in your arteries (atherosclerosis). This condition may be reducing blood flow to your heart and brain, as well as your legs.





You often can successfully treat peripheral artery disease by stopping tobacco, exercising and eating a healthy diet.

SYMPTOMS

While many people with peripheral artery disease experience mild or no symptoms, some people have leg pain when walking (claudication).

Claudication symptoms include muscle pain or cramping in your legs or arms that’s triggered by activity, such as walking, but go away after a few minutes of rest. The location of the pain depends on the location of the clogged or narrowed artery. Calf pain is the most common location.

The severity of claudication varies widely, from mild discomfort to debilitating pain. Severe claudication can make it difficult for you to walk or do other types of physical activity.

Peripheral artery disease symptoms include:

Painful cramping in your hip, thigh or calf muscles after certain activities, such as walking or climbing stairs (claudication)
Leg numbness or weakness
Coldness in your lower leg or foot, especially when compared with the other side
Sores on your toes, feet or legs that will not heal
A change in the color of your legs
Hair loss or slower hair growth on your feet and legs
Slower growth of your toenails
Shiny skin on your legs
No pulse or a weak pulse in your legs or feet
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If peripheral artery disease progresses, pain may even happen when you’re at rest or when you’re lying down (ischemic rest pain). It may be intense enough to disrupt sleep. Hanging your legs over the edge of your bed or walking around your room may temporarily relieve the pain.

When to see a doctor

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