Peripheral artery disease - legs
Alternate Names : Peripheral vascular disease, PVD, PAD, Arteriosclerosis obliterans, Blockage of leg arteries, Claudication, Intermittent claudication, Vaso-occlusive disease of the legs, Arterial insufficiency of the legs, Recurrent leg pain and cramping, Calf pain with exercise
Symptoms & Signs
The classic symptoms are pain, achiness, fatigue, burning, or discomfort in the muscles of your feet, calves, or thighs. These symptoms start during exercise and go away after several minutes of rest. - At first, these symptoms may be present only when you walk uphill, walk faster, or walk for longer distances.
- Slowly, these symptoms come more quickly and with less exercise.
Your legs or feet may feel numb when you are at rest. They also may feel cool to the touch, and the skin may appear pale. When peripheral artery disease becomes severe, you may have: - Pain or tingling in the foot or toes, which can be so severe that even the weight of clothes or bed sheets is painful
- Pain that is worse when the leg is elevated and improves when you dangle your legs over the side of the bed
Diagnosis & Tests
During an examination, the health care provider may find: - Weak or absent pulse in the limb
- Loss of hair on the legs or feet
- A whooshing sound with the stethoscope over the artery (arterial bruits)
- Decreased blood pressure in the affected limb
When PAD is more severe, findings may include: - Paleness of the skin or blue color in the toes or foot (cyanosis)
- Calf muscles that shrink (wither)
- Hair loss over the toes and feet
- Thick toenails
- Shiny, tight skin
- Painful, nonbleeding ulcers on the feet or toes (usually black) that are slow to heal
Blood tests may show high cholesterol or diabetes. Tests for peripheral artery disease:
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