For: Peripheral Artery Disease

Peripheral artery disease is a common circulatory problem in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to your limbs. When you develop peripheral artery disease (PAD), your extremities, usually your legs, don't receive enough blood flow to keep up with demand. Blocked blood flow to your legs can cause pain and numbness. It also can raise your risk of getting an infection in the affected limbs. Your body may have a hard time fighting the infection. This causes symptoms, most notably leg pain when walking. Peripheral artery disease is also likely to be a sign of a more widespread accumulation of fatty deposits in your arteries (atherosclerosis). This condition may be reducing blood flow to your heart and brain, as well as your legs. Many people mistake the symptoms of PAD for something else. PAD often goes undiagnosed by healthcare professionals. People with peripheral arterial disease have four (4) to five (5) times more risk of heart attack or stroke. Left untreated, PAD can lead to gangrene and amputation.

What are the Warning Signs of Peripheral Artery Disease?

The most common symptoms of PAD are cramping, pain or tiredness in the leg or hip muscles while walking or climbing stairs. This condition is known as “intermittent claudication.” Intermittent claudication symptoms include muscle pain or cramping in your legs or arms that's triggered by activity, such as walking, but disappears after a few minutes of rest. The location of the pain depends on the location of the clogged or narrowed artery. Calf pain is most common. The severity of intermittent claudication varies widely, from mild discomfort to debilitating pain. Severe intermittent claudication can make it hard for you to walk or do other types of physical activity.

Peripheral artery disease symptoms include:

If peripheral artery disease progresses, pain may even occur when you're at rest or when you're lying down (ischemic rest pain). It may be intense enough to disrupt sleep. Hanging your over the edge of your bed or walking around your room may temporarily relieve the pain.

How do I know if I’m At Risk?

If you have leg pain, numbness or other symptoms, don't dismiss them as a normal part of aging. Even if you don't have symptoms of peripheral artery disease, you may need to be screened if you are:

Prevention:

As with most heart and circulatory system problems, your risk of developing peripheral artery disease lessens with a healthy lifestyle. Some of the key factors in maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle are:

If you have any of the above risk factors, then get screened today!