Peripheral Artery Disease
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a life-threatening condition caused by the narrowing of your arteries to your legs. Fatty buildup, called plaque, clings to your artery walls, restricting the amount of blood flow to your legs.
What are the symptoms of PAD?
- Cramping or aching when walking that goes away at rest
- Color changes of the skin on legs and feet
- Burning sensation or numbness in legs
- Shiny skin or loss of hair on legs
- Weak or no pulse in legs or feet
- Sores on toes, feet or legs that won't heal
- Legs cool to the touch
Who is at risk of PAD?
- People who smoke
- Men
- People with diabetes
- People who are overweight
- People with high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol
- Anyone with a family history of PAD, vascular or heart disease
- People 50 years old or older
To lower your risk of peripheral artery disease, stop smoking, eat a healthy diet, get moving, reduce stress, lower your cholesterol levels and maintain a healthy weight. In PAD, the blockages that occur in the arteries can restrict blood flow to the brain, stomach, arms, kidneys, legs and feet. Do not dismiss leg pain as a normal sign of aging.
PAD may be mistaken for arthritis, sciatica or just stiffness from getting older. Diabetes sufferers may confuse PAD pain with neuropathy, a common diabetic symptom that feels like burning or discomfort in the legs and feet. Left untreated, PAD can lead to gangrene and limb amputation. PAD patients are at a heightened risk for death from heart attack or stroke.