Peripheral Arterial Disease: Causes, Warning Signs and Treatment

What it is

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a narrowing of blood vessels outside the heart. The cause is atherosclerosis: plaque — made of fat and cholesterol — builds up in the arteries that supply the arms and legs, narrowing or blocking them. Blood flow drops or stops, usually to the legs. At its worst, blocked flow can kill tissue and lead to amputation of a foot or leg.

Risk factors

• Smoking — the main one.
• Older age.
• Diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.

Symptoms

Many people have none. When there are symptoms, they may include:

• pain, numbness, aching or heaviness in the leg muscles when walking or climbing stairs;
• weak or missing pulses in the legs or feet;
• sores on the toes, feet or legs that heal slowly, poorly or not at all;
• pale or bluish skin;
• one leg cooler than the other;
• poor toenail growth and less hair on the legs;
• erectile dysfunction, especially in men with diabetes.

PAD also raises the risk of heart attack, stroke and transient ischemic attack.

Diagnosis and treatment

Doctors diagnose PAD with a physical exam and heart and imaging tests. Treatment includes:

• lifestyle changes — diet, exercise, and lowering cholesterol and blood pressure;
• medicines;
• sometimes surgery.

Sources

Based on the MedlinePlus health topic "Peripheral Arterial Disease," National Library of Medicine, with content from the NIH's National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; a work of the United States government in the public domain.