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Peripheral Artery Disease Symptoms

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a fairly common circulatory system condition where the arteries become constricted, usually due the build up of fatty plaque along the walls of the arteries. Peripheral artery disease can lead to a number of symptoms which are often confused with other problems or aren't properly linked to PAD and can also lead to serious complications.

  1. Numbness

    • One of the telltale signs of PAD is numbness or tingling in the extremities, especially the feet and toes. When the arteries are clogged, it makes blood flow more difficult, so those areas farthest from the heart will often get less blood than they should. Since the feet are the farthest from the heart, lack of blood can make them go numb, tingle or feel week.

    Leg Pain

    • Another symptom associated with more severe cases of PAD is leg pain which may occur in reaction to physical activity or sometimes occur for no apparent reason. The pain may seem like normal strain from exercising but persists after exercise has ceased. Cramps in the legs are common and can be felt on tasks as simple as going up steps or walking.

    Other Foot Problems

    • Lack of circulation can induce numerous other symptoms that affect the feet. The feet and legs may start losing hair due to insufficient blood flow, and the toenails or skin may change color. Sometimes the skin and tissue of the legs will become noticeably cooler compared with the rest of the body. Wounds on the feet and legs also tend to heal less quickly, and sores may develop that do not heal at all.

    Risk Factors

    • Several risk factors increase the likelihood of PAD and can contribute to the occurrence of symptoms. Obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and age all increase the likelihood of PAD. Smoking is another important risk factor, which can be more easily controlled by the individual. High cholesterol and a family history of PAD indicating genetic predisposition also correlate with increased likelihood of developing PAD.

    Complications

    • In severe cases PAD can lead to life-threatening complications. Sores that don't heal combined with lack of blood flow can potentially lead to gangrenous tissue. PAD also increases the likelihood of developing coronary artery disease -- a blockage of the heart's arteries. Coronary artery disease greatly increases the chance of heart attack. PAD also increases the chance of stroke.

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