Peripheral artery disease (PAD) refers to reduced blood flow through the arteries, particularly to the extremities of the body like arms and legs. PAD is mainly manifested as pain in the thighs and calf during walking or while doing physical activities. We’ll discuss more PAD symptoms in the section to come.
What are the Main Symptoms of Peripheral Artery Disease?
Peripheral vascular disease symptoms vary, based on the exertion and amount of physical activity. Nonetheless, depending upon the blood circulation efficiency in the extremities, PAD could show no symptoms but still be present as a subclinical disease.
The following are common PAD symptoms:
- Claudication or pain in legs is the most common symptom that appears while walking and is relieved by resting. This can be clinically presented as cramping in the legs. Leg fatigue is also reported and is associated with weakness, pressure feeling, and aching legs. Leg numbness and cold leg feeling in legs are experienced in many cases.
- Pain in thigh muscles, back, and buttocks
- Weak pulse in feet
- Muscular atrophy in legs
- Cool skin of legs.
- Shine on the legs’ skin.
- Feeling of pin or needle pricking in legs or feet.
- Legs may get easily bruised or develop sores that heal slowly or even do not heal.
- Loss of hair.