What is Peripheral Artery Disease or P.A.D.?

In its simplest form P.A.D. means that blood is not flowing normally through your arteries. Read on to learn more, or take our quiz below to see if you or a loved one might be at risk for P.A.D.

P.A.D. can also be referred to as:

P.A.D. Illustration

  • Peripheral vascular disease
  • Atherosclerosis
  • Claudication
  • Hardening of arteries
  • Lack of circulation to your extremities

Peripheral Arterial Disease is a serious disease that is often underdiagnosed and undertreated. Many people believe that pain in the legs is just another sign of aging, not realizing that it may be a warning sign for P.A.D.

Left untreated and in its most severe form, P.A.D. can lead to limb loss so it is imperative to seek treatment by a physician who is trained to accurately diagnose and treat vascular diseases, such as P.A.D.

Symptoms:

  • Leg pain in calves or thighs, especially after certain activities such as walking or climbing stairs
  • Leg numbness or weakness
  • Coldness in your lower leg or foot
  • Pain in the feet when resting at night
  • Non-healing or poorly healing sores on toes, feet or legs
  • A change in the color of your legs
  • Shiny skin on your legs
  • Hair loss or slower hair growth on legs
  • Slower toenail growth
  • No pulse or weak pulse in your legs or feet

Are you concerned you may have P.A.D.? Do you have one or more of the symptoms listed above? If so, you should request an appointment.

Request an Appointment

Are you at risk for Vascular Disease? Take our short quiz.

Learn if you may be experiencing some of the symptoms associated with P.A.D., or if you may have any risk factors.

Do you have leg pain with walking that goes away at rest?

Do you have pain in your foot or toes, even at rest?

Do you have slow or non-healing sores on your feet?

Do you have tightness, swelling, or weakness in your legs?

Do you have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, or a family history of vascular disease?

Have you already been diagnosed with Peripheral Artery Disease (P.A.D.)?

Have you been told by another physician that you have leg circulation problems?

Risk factors for P.A.D.

  • Smoking Risk Factor Peripheral Arterial Disease | PVA San AntonioSmoke (current or former)
  • High Blood Pressure Risk Factor Peripheral Arterial Disease | PVA San AntonioHigh Blood Pressure
  • Family History Factor Peripheral Arterial Disease | PVA San AntonioPersonal/Family History of Heart Attack or Stroke
  • Diabetes Risk Factor Peripheral Arterial Disease | PVA San AntonioDiabetes
  • High Cholesterol Risk Factor Peripheral Arterial Disease | PVA San AntonioHigh Cholesterol

If you are older than 50 years old, are experiencing leg pain and have one or more of the risk factors above, you should consider requesting an appointment for a P.A.D. screening.

Request an Appointment

  • Contact Us Today: 210.237.4444
  • Veintec: 210.483.8822
  • Join Peripheral Vascular Associates on Facebook!
  • Join Peripheral Vascular Associates on Instagram!
  • View Peripheral Vascular Associates on YouTube!
  • Find Peripheral Vascular Associates on LinkedIn!
  • Follow Peripheral Vascular Associates on Twitter!
  • Find Peripheral Vascular Associates on Pinterest!
es_ESSpanish
es_ESSpanish