Symptoms Of Peripheral Artery Disease

While many people with peripheral arterial disease have mild symptoms or not, some people have pain in the leg while walking (intermittent claudication).

The symptoms of intermittent claudication, muscle pain or cramps in the legs or arms that is triggered by activity such as walking, but disappears after a few minutes of rest. The location of pain depends on the location of the blocked or narrowed artery. Calf pain is the most common.

The severity of intermittent claudication varies greatly, from mild discomfort to debilitating pain. Severe intermittent claudication can make it difficult to walk or do other physical activities.

Peripheral arterial disease symptoms include:

Painful cramps in the muscles of the hip, thigh or calf after exercise, like walking or climbing stairs (intermittent claudication)

Numbness or weakness in the legs

Hot on the leg or foot, especially when compared with the other leg

Sores on the toes, feet or legs that do not heal

Colors can change your feet

Hair loss or slow hair growth on your feet and legs

Slower growth of the nails

Shiny skin on your legs

No pulse or a weak pulse in the legs or feet

Erectile dysfunction in men

If peripheral arterial disease progresses, pain can also occur when you are at rest or when lying down (ischemic pain at rest). It can be powerful enough to disturb sleep. Legs dangling on the edge of the bed or walking around the room, can temporarily relieve pain.

When to see a doctor

If you have any leg pain, numbness or other symptoms, do not dismiss it as a normal part of aging. Call your doctor and get an agreement.

Even if you do not have symptoms of peripheral arterial disease, you may need to be screened if:

Over 70 years

Over 50 years of age and have diabetes or smoking

Less than 50 years of age, but diabetes and other peripheral arterial disease risk factors such as obesity or hypertension