Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is the narrowing of peripheral arteries due to atherosclerosis (plaque buildup on arterial walls) decreasing blood flow to legs, feet, and toes. Left untreated, PAD complications include critical limb ischemia, gangrene, and amputation.
Frequently Asked Questions
VhWhat causes Peripheral Artery Disease
The most common cause of PAD is atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a gradual process in which a fatty material builds up in the arteries limiting blood flow. Out-patientvascular intervention is an effective way of removing this material and restoring blood flow to the lower legs and feet.
VhWhat are the symptoms of PAD?
Peripheral Artery Disease symptoms may include leg pain or cramps, numbness, tingling, non-healing foot wounds or skin discoloration. Sometimes, there are no symptoms at all but plaque in the arteries is still silently straining your cardiovascular system and increasing your risk for stroke and amputation. PAD symptoms are easily overlooked if attributed to arthritis and old age or when masked by nerve damage and peripheral neuropathy.
• Painful cramping in one or both of your hips, thighs or calf muscles after certain activities, such as walking or climbing stairs
• 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 won't 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
• Erectile dysfunction in men
• Pain when using your arms, such as aching and cramping when knitting, writing or doing other manual tasks
VhPAD Risk Factors
Factors that increase your risk of developing peripheral artery disease include:
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Obesity (a body mass index over 30)
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Increasing age, especially after age 65 or after 50 if you have risk factors for atherosclerosis
• A family history of peripheral artery disease, heart disease or stroke
• High levels of homocysteine, an amino acid that helps your body make protein and to build and maintain tissue
• People who smoke or have diabetes have the greatest risk of developing peripheral artery disease due to reduced blood flow.
VhComplications Associated with PAD
If your peripheral artery disease is caused by a buildup of plaque in your blood vessels, you're also at risk of developing:
• Critical limb ischemia. This condition begins as open sores that don't heal, an injury, or an infection of your feet or legs. Critical limb ischemia occurs when the injuries or infections progress and cause tissue death, sometimes requiring amputation of the affected limb.
• Stroke and heart attack. The atherosclerosis that causes the signs and symptoms of peripheral artery disease isn't limited to your legs. Fat deposits also build up in arteries supplying blood to your heart and brain.
VhWhy get an evaluation for PAD?
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) symptoms can range from subtle, like intermittent pain while walking, to more pronounced such as resting leg pain, discoloration of the lower leg and foot, and sores that don’t heal. Early intervention is critical to improving long term outcomes. The consultation is simple, painless, and covered by most insurances. If you have symptoms of PAD or fall into a higher risk group you are strongly recommended to come in for an evaluation.
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VhWhen to See a Doctor
If you have leg pain, numbness or other symptoms, don't dismiss them as a normal part of aging. Call your doctor and make an appointment.
Even if you don't have symptoms of peripheral artery disease, you may need to be screened if you are:
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Even if you don't have symptoms of peripheral artery disease, you may need to be screened if you are:
• Over age 65
• Over age 50 and have a history of diabetes or smoking
• Under age 50 and have diabetes and other peripheral artery disease risk factors, such as obesity or high blood pressure . If you have symptoms of PAD or fall into a higher risk group you are strongly recommended to come in for an evaluation. PAD is a chronic disease that can sometimes have persistent symptoms such as leg pain or cramps. In its advanced form, patients with PAD may suffer from non-healing wounds, which can increase the risk of infection and amputation. After an amputation, there is a 5-year mortality rate of 50%. However, HALF of amputations are preventable. Early detection of PAD is critical and can be lifesaving.
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VhWhat You Can Do in the Meantime
If you're a smoker, it's never too soon to quit smoking. Smoking increases the risk of peripheral artery disease and can make existing PAD worse. Eating less saturated fat and adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet are two other healthy lifestyle habits you can immediately adopt.
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