Peripheral Artery Disease

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a condition of circulatory complication where the blood vessels in your legs or the lower extremities do not receive proper blood flow due to accumulated plaque (fatty deposit).

Atherosclerosis, plaque buildup in the leg arteries, makes it difficult for the blood vessels to carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the limbs. Regardless of atherosclerosis being the primary cause of PAD, it is developed depending on each person’s health condition, age, and history of smoking and diabetes.

It's essential to have the symptoms of the peripheral arterial disease diagnosed as soon as possible, or it could lead to severe health problems like stroke, heart attack, renal artery disease, or amputation. You can prevent peripheral arterial disease by staying active and following a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.

What are the risk factors and symptoms of Peripheral Artery Disease?

The factors that narrow arteries that lead to peripheral arterial disease are:

• Hypertension

• High cholesterol

• Diabetes

• Smoking

• Blood clotting disorder

• Age above 50

• Family history of heart diseases or blood vessel diseases

Patients with PAD may not feel any symptoms in the initial stage; however, leg pain is the most common sign of PAD triggered by walking. Do not dismiss the following signs as a part of aging. Consult your physician and take appropriate treatment if you come across signs such as:

• Leg numbness

• Weak or sore legs

• Shiny skin on legs

• Hair loss

• Weak pulse in feet

• Cool skin or skin color changes