Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a condition where the arteries that supply blood to your limbs, especially your legs, become narrowed or blocked. This narrowing reduces blood flow, which can cause a variety of symptoms. Recognizing the signs of PAD early is important because it can lead to serious complications if left untreated.
One of the most common and earliest signs of PAD is **leg pain or cramping during walking or physical activity**, known as *claudication*. This pain often occurs in the calves, thighs, or buttocks and feels like tightness, aching, or cramping. The key feature is that the pain usually goes away after you rest for a few minutes. This happens because the muscles are not getting enough oxygen-rich blood when they are working, but the pain eases when the demand decreases. Many people dismiss this as normal aging or poor circulation, but it is a classic symptom of PAD.
As PAD progresses, the pain may start to occur even when you are resting or lying down. This is a sign that the blood flow is severely reduced. You might feel **intense pain in your legs or feet at rest**, which can be worse at night and may even wake you up from sleep. This stage is called *critical limb ischemia* and indicates a serious reduction in blood supply.
Other signs include **numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs**. These sensations happen because the nerves and muscles are not getting enough blood. You might notice your legs feel heavy or weak, making it harder to walk or stand for long periods.
You may also observe **coldness in one leg or foot compared to the other**, which is a sign that less warm blood is reaching that limb. Along with this, the skin on your legs and feet might change color, becoming pale, bluish, or even reddish. The skin may also become shiny and tight, and you might notice a **loss of hair on your legs and feet**. These changes occur because the tissues are not receiving enough nutrients and oxygen.
Another important sign is the presence of **sores, wounds, or ulcers on your feet or legs that heal very slowly or not at all**. Because of poor blood flow, your body’s ability to repair damaged skin is impaired. These wounds can become infected, which is dangerous and can lead to serious complications.
In advanced cases, the affected limb might become **cold, pale, or even develop gangrene**, where tissue dies due to lack of blood. This can lead to the need for amputation if not treated promptly.
Some people with PAD may not notice any symptoms at all in the early stages. This is why regular check-ups are important if you have risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or a family history of vascular disease.
In summary, the signs of peripheral artery disease include:
– **Leg pain or cramping during walking (claudication) that improves with rest**
– **Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs**
– **Coldness in one leg or foot compared to the other**
– **Skin color changes and loss of hair on legs and feet**
– **Slow-healing or non-healing sores and wounds on the legs or feet**
– **Pain in the legs or feet at rest, especially at night**
– **Severe cases may show cold, pale limbs or gangrene**
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to see a healthcare provider. Early diagnosis and treatment can help manage symptoms, improve quality of life, and prevent serious complications like infections, limb loss, heart attack, or stroke.
