Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

Description

A common circulatory problem in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs. When you develop PAD, your extremities — usually your legs — don't receive enough blood flow to keep up with demand. This causes symptoms, most notably leg pain when walking (claudication).

Common Symptoms

• Painful cramping in your hip, thigh or calf muscles after activity, which disappears with rest (intermittent claudication)
• Leg numbness or weakness
• Sores on your toes, feet or legs that won't heal
• A change in the color of your legs
• Hair loss on your feet and legs

Common Causes

• Almost always caused by atherosclerosis, the buildup of fatty plaques in the arteries. Smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes are major risk factors.

Treatment Information