Signs & Symptoms of Peripheral Artery Disease

What is Peripheral Artery Disease?

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a form of cardiovascular disease caused by atherosclerosis, which is the narrowing of the arteries due to fatty plaque buildup. Ultimately, PAD negatively affects your body’s ability to carry oxygenated blood throughout the body, especially the legs and feet.

Signs & Symptoms

Many people who have PAD don’t realize it and go undiagnosed because they mistake their symptoms for another ailment. Unfortunately, untreated PAD can leave you at an increased risk for coronary heart disease and cardiac events like heart attack and stroke. This makes it increasingly important to pay attention to your body to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.

When it comes to the symptoms of PAD, they tend to affect the legs and feet during activities like walking, standing, and climbing stairs. However, they go away with rest. Some of the most commonly reported symptoms of PAD include:

• Fatigue
• Muscle cramping in the legs or feet
• Aches and pains in the legs or feet
• Discomfort

If you experience the above symptoms and you suspect that you may have PAD, be sure to reach out to your primary care doctor. Your health care team can then work with you to get a proper diagnosis and refer you to the right specialist. To schedule an appointment with our skilled team of family medicine providers, call 307-688-6000.