by EBSCO Medical Review Board

A person may not have symptoms when PAD first starts. It is a disease that gets worse over time. It may lead to:

Intermittent Claudication

This is the most common symptom. Claudication is pain in the thigh, hip, calf, or foot. It may happen when walking, using stairs, or exercising. It may cause cramping or limping. A person may also feel heavy, weak, or tired. Symptoms often start after walking for a short time and end after resting for the same amount of time.

This is the most common symptom. Claudication is pain in the thigh, hip, calf, or foot. It may happen when walking, using stairs, or exercising. It may cause cramping or limping. A person may also feel heavy, weak, or tired. Symptoms often start after walking for a short time and end after resting for the same amount of time.

Other Symptoms

Other problems may be:

  • A numb feeling in the legs or feet when resting
  • Cold legs or feet
  • Muscle pain in the thighs, calves, or feet
  • Loss of hair on the lower limbs
  • Poorly growing or thick toenails
  • Pale or blue legs or feet
  • Problems walking
  • Foot wounds that heal slowly
Plaque Blocking an Artery
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In people who have symptoms, PAD may cause:

In people who have symptoms, PAD may cause:

Complications

PAD can lead to severe problems, such as:

  • Critical limb ischemia —Ulcers that are slow to heal because of low or blocked blood flow. They can lead to gangrene . When the blood supply is cut off, the tissue does not get enough oxygen and begins to die. Gangrene can lead to amputation of the limb.
  • Movement problems —PAD can limit the ability to work as it worsens.
  • Erectile dysfunction

References

Peripheral artery disease (PAD). American Heart Association website. Available at: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/peripheral-artery-disease. Accessed March 24, 2022.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/PAD.htm. Accessed March 24, 2022.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) of lower extremities. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/peripheral-artery-disease-pad-of-lower-extremities. Accessed March 24, 2022.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) of upper extremities. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/peripheral-artery-disease-pad-of-upper-extremities. Accessed March 24, 2022.

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