Peripheral Arterial Disease Running Image

PAD, Peripheral Arterial Disease, is a serious, yet treatable disease, characterized by a narrowing or blockage of the arteries that carry oxygenated blood to extremities such as the legs.

Peripheral artery disease (also called peripheral arterial disease) is a common circulatory problem in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to your limbs. When you develop peripheral artery disease (PAD), your extremities — usually your legs — don’t receive enough blood flow to keep up with demand. This causes symptoms, most notably leg pain when walking (claudication).

Peripheral artery disease is also likely to be a sign of a more widespread accumulation of fatty deposits in your arteries (atherosclerosis). This condition may be reducing blood flow to your heart and brain, as well as your legs. You often can successfully treat peripheral artery disease by quitting tobacco, exercising and eating a healthy diet.

Most common symptoms of PAD

While many people with peripheral artery disease have mild or no symptoms, some people have leg pain when walking (claudication).

Claudication symptoms include muscle pain or cramping in your legs or arms that’s triggered by activity, such as walking, but disappears after a few minutes of rest. The location of the pain depends on the location of the clogged or narrowed artery. Calf pain is the most common location.

Peripheral artery disease signs and symptoms include:

  • Painful cramping in one or both of your hips, thighs or calf muscles after certain activities, such as walking or climbing stairs (claudication)
  • If peripheral artery disease progresses, pain may even occur when you’re at rest or when you’re lying down (ischemic rest pain). It may be intense enough to disrupt sleep.
  • Leg or foot wounds that are slow to heal or do not heal at all (could eventually develop into ulcers)
  • Cold feet and/or legs
  • Color changes to legs, feet and toes (paleness or blueness)
  • Weak pulse in the legs or feet
  • Buttock pain
  • Hair loss on the legs
  • ED (erectile dysfunction) in men
  • Acute limb pain
  • Chronic Leg and Foot Pain
  • Neuropathy/Numbness
  • Poor nail growth

Help for Cumberland County Residents

Cumberland County residents have access to an expertly trained team of Peripheral Vascular Interventional Radiologists specializing in peripheral arterial and venous disease as well as dialysis access maintenance in their neighborhood. The Pulse Vascular Team are experts in minimally invasive vascular procedures.

If you live in Vineland, Millville or Bridgeton, the state-of-the-art Pulse Vascular office is close and convenient. If you are experiencing symptoms of PAD, contact the Pulse Vascular office today at 631-534-7246 or online.

If you are not sure if you need to schedule a consult, please complete our online symptom checker.

Approximately 12 million people in the United States have peripheral artery disease. Contact Pulse Vascular today to learn more.