Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): Symptoms, Causes & Risk Factors

Peripheral artery disease (PAD), a common peripheral vascular disease (PVD), is characterized by hardening of the arteries in the extremities. It affects over 9 million Americans. Diabetes, age over 65, smoking, alcohol, lack of exercise, obesity, high cholesterol and high blood pressure are strong risk factors in succumbing to PAD.

Significance

• Peripheral artery disease plays a significant role in the incidences of heart attacks,
  strokes and loss of limbs.

Symptoms

• Symptoms include cramping, coldness, numbness, tiredness and pain in the leg when walking or climbing stairs. The toenails may also change to a slightly brownish color.

Features

• These symptoms are due to arteriosclerosis (fat deposits), also called plaque, in the arteries. This blocks adequate blood flow to the legs.

Warning

• Early testing and diagnosis of PAD is extremely important to reduce the symptoms and stop the damage done by the disease.

Prevention/Solution

• Practice healthy lifestyle changes to include healthy diet, exercise, no smoking, visits to the podiatrist and wearing proper footwear.