Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

Risk factors

Certain things can make PAD more likely. They include:

• Smoking.

• Diabetes.

• High blood pressure.

• Unhealthy cholesterol levels.

• Obesity.

• An inactive lifestyle.

• Older age.

• A family history of PAD.

Symptoms

Many people with PAD have no symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they can include:

• Pain in the muscles of the calves, thighs, or hips. It gets worse with activity and better with rest (intermittent claudication).

• Achy, tired, or heavy feeling in the legs.

• Weakness, numbness, tingling, or loss of feeling in the legs.

• Changes in skin color of the legs.

• Sores on the legs and feet that heal slowly.

• Cold legs, feet, or toes.

• Pain in the legs, feet, or toes even when you're lying down (rest pain) or asleep.

• Trouble walking, such as not being able to walk as far as you used to walk.

Home care

PAD is a lifelong (chronic) condition. Treatment focuses on managing your condition and lowering your health risks. This may include doing the following:

• If you smoke, quit. This helps prevent further damage to your arteries and lowers your health risks. Ask your health care provider about medicines or products that can help you quit smoking. Also consider joining a stop-smoking program or support group.

• Be more active. This helps you lose weight and manage problems such as high blood pressure and unhealthy cholesterol levels. Start a walking program if your provider advises it. Your provider may also help you form a safe exercise program that is right for your needs.

• Make healthy eating changes. This includes eating less fat, salt, and sugar.

• Take medicines for high blood pressure, blood clot prevention, unhealthy cholesterol levels, and diabetes as directed.

• Have your blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked as often as directed.

• If you have diabetes, try to keep your blood sugar well controlled. Test your blood sugar as directed.

• If you are overweight, talk with your provider about a weight-loss plan.

• Watch for cuts, scrapes, or open sores on your feet. Poor blood flow to the feet may slow healing and increase the risk for infection from these problems. 

• If you have depression, talk to your health care provider about treatment to manage it.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your health care provider as advised. If you've had imaging tests such as ultrasound, a doctor will review them. You will be told the results and any new findings that may affect your care.

When to seek medical advice 

Contact your health care provider right away if:

• You have sudden severe pain in your legs or feet.

• You have sudden cold, paleness, or blue color in your legs or feet.

• You have weakness or numbness in your legs or feet that gets worse.

• Any sores or wounds on your legs or feet won’t heal.

• The pulse in your legs or feet is weak.

• Your symptoms get worse, or you have new symptoms.

Know the signs of heart attack and stroke

People with PAD are at high risk for heart attack and stroke. Knowing the signs of these problems can help you protect your health and get help when you need it. Call 911 right away if:

• You have chest discomfort, such as pain, aching, tightness, or pressure that lasts more than a few minutes or that comes and goes.

• You have pain or discomfort in your arms, back, shoulders, neck, or jaw.

• You're short of breath.

• You're sweating (often a cold, clammy sweat).

• You have nausea.

• You feel lightheaded.

• You have sudden numbness, drooping, or weakness of the face, arms, or legs, especially on one side.

• You have sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding.

• You suddenly have trouble seeing in one or both eyes.

• You suddenly have trouble walking, feel dizzy, or lose your balance.

• You have a sudden, severe headache with no known cause.