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:
- 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.
Risk factors for P.A.D.
Smoke (current or former)
High Blood Pressure
Personal/Family History of Heart Attack or Stroke
Diabetes
High Cholesterol
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