Peripheral Artery Disease: What to Watch For

Peripheral artery disease is a narrowing of the peripheral arteries that carry blood away from the heart to other parts of the body. The most common type is lower-extremity PAD, in which blood flow is reduced to the legs and feet. 

PAD is caused by atherosclerosis, the buildup of fatty plaque in the arteries that narrows and blocks them throughout the body, including in the heart, brain, arms, legs, pelvis and kidneys. 

The most common symptom of lower-extremity peripheral artery disease is painful muscle cramping in the hips, thighs or calves when walking, climbing stairs or exercising.

The pain of PAD often goes away when you stop exercising, although this may take a few minutes. Working muscles need more blood flow. Resting muscles can get by with less.

If blood flow is blocked due to plaque buildup, the muscles won’t get enough blood during exercise to meet the needs. The cramping pain (called intermittent claudication) is the muscles’ way of warning the body that it isn’t receiving enough blood during exercise to meet the increased demand.

Other symptoms of PAD include a pale or bluish skin color in the extremities, shiny skin with loss of hair on the legs, weak or absent pulse in the legs or feet, and sores or wounds on the feet and legs that won't heal. Many people with PAD have no symptoms or mistake their symptoms for something else.

If you have concerns about Peripheral Artery Disease symptoms or your risk factors for PAD, talk to your provider and ask questions about your risk factors so you can get a pulse on your heart health.