Peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects as many as 45 million Americans, significantly increasing the risk of complications like heart attack, stroke, and limb amputation. PAD occurs when sticky fat deposits accumulate in your arteries, obstructing normal blood flow to your brain, heart, and other organs and tissues.
Despite how common it is, though, PAD often goes undetected and undiagnosed until more serious problems happen, mainly because its symptoms can be very subtle. Most people are unaware of the signs and symptoms to look for. Fortunately, PAD can be treated, but early diagnosis is critical.
TLC Medical Group Inc. is a leading provider of PAD therapy, utilizing advanced techniques to diagnose, monitor, and manage symptoms, and reduce the risk of complications. In recognition of PAD Awareness Month, Anthony B. Lewis, MD, FACC, offers a quick overview of PAD symptoms you should be aware of.
This hallmark symptom of PAD happens because your leg muscles need more oxygen when you move. If your arteries can’t deliver enough blood due to narrowing or blockage, your body responds with pain or related symptoms, like cramping, burning sensations, limb fatigue, or a feeling of heaviness in your limb. Once physical activity stops, oxygen demand decreases, and symptoms typically subside or disappear entirely.
When blood flow in an arm or leg is limited by PAD, your skin in that limb may feel cooler to the touch, especially when compared to the temperature in your other limbs. This symptom can be very subtle, but because it can be a clear sign of a circulation problem, it should never be ignored.
If you have PAD, decreased circulation can make your skin look bluish or extra shiny, and it can cause slower hair growth on the affected limb, too. Like temperature differences, changes in skin and hair can be very subtle, but they indicate a need for a medical evaluation.
A weaker pulse in one limb is cause for concern. If we notice this symptom during your exam, we’ll order more extensive testing, such as diagnostic imaging, to evaluate your vessels. Regular pulse checkups are essential for everyone as they get older, and especially for people with PAD or circulation risk factors, like hypertension, high cholesterol, a history of smoking, or even diabetes.
Circulation plays a crucial role in healing, delivering oxygen and other essential nutrients while removing waste that can hinder wound recovery. When circulation is compromised, even minor injuries, such as scrapes or blisters, take significantly longer to heal, increasing the likelihood of infection. In advanced PAD, slow-healing sores can lead to deep infections and an increased need for limb amputation.
Perhaps surprisingly, ED is often an early sign of PAD in men. That’s because PAD doesn’t just affect blood flow in your arms and legs — it can narrow the vessels that provide blood to your genitals, too. While it might be tempting to write off ED as a “normal” part of aging, it could be a symptom of PAD or another severe circulation disorder — and it should always be medically evaluated.
PAD is progressive, but with early diagnosis and treatment, it’s manageable. If you’ve noticed any of these symptoms or if you have PAD risk factors, like high blood pressure or high cholesterol, scheduling a PAD evaluation is a smart way to protect your health.
To have your vascular health evaluated, request an appointment online or over the phone with Dr. Lewis and the team at TLC Medical Group in Port St. Lucie, Florida, today.
