Peripheral Artery Disease: 6 Warning Signs Of Blocked Arteries That Appear In The Legs

What Is Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)? Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a circulatory problem that causes reduced blood flow through the arteries. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), this typically reduces blood flow to the extremities, manifesting as thigh or calf pain during walking or exertion. It states, This activity describes the evaluation and management of peripheral arterial disease and reviews the role of the interprofessional team in improving care for patients with this condition. Patients with PAD have an equivalent cardiovascular risk to patients with previous myocardial infarction and require aggressive risk factor modification to improve their long-term survival.Lose Of Hair On Feet And Legs A person with Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) may notice changes in their legs and feet, where leg hairs begin to thin out, look shiny or smooth. On some occasions, hair can even stop growing where it is used to have normal coverage. These symptoms occur when the skin and hair follicles are not properly nourished and oxygenated due to a lack of blood flow. Although it may look like a cosmetic issue in the beginning, it could be an early sign of underlying PAD.Missing Foot Pulse One of the simplest indicators of blocked arteries is a missing foot pulse. When physicians can not feel for a pulse in your ankles and feet, it could mean that the blood flow in your leg is interrupted. Early detection of PAD is crucial to prevent complications such as heart attack and stroke. To check if you're suffering from PAD, a physician may ask for tests like ankle-ankle-brachial index (ABI) to check blood flow through the legs.Wounds Take Time To Heal Wound on legs and feet that takes time to heal may be a result of poor blood circulation. Proper oxygen and nutrients are required for your skin to heal all kinds of wounds, such as sores, blisters, or cuts. In addition, individuals with blocked arteries may also notice wounds taking time to heal. Hence, consult with your doctor at the earliest to prevent PAD.Numb Or Weakness In The Leg Feeling numb or weakness in your legs often? Reduced blood circulation in your legs can make your legs feel weak, tired or even cause a sensation of tingling. Your muscle and nerves depends on the oxygen from the blood to function normally. Therefore, if blood flow is reduced, you may experience fatigue apart from other symptoms.Cramps In The Leg One of the classic signs of PAD is experiencing cramps or pain in the legs. This typically occurs when a person with PAD takes a short walk and starts feeling tightness, cramp or ache in the calf, thigh or buttocks. Overtime, if blood circulation on your leg is interrupted you may even feel the sensation when lying down, which also signifies the advancement of the disease.Cold Feet Good blood circulation in the legs keeps our feet warm, but when this normal circulation is interrupted, you may experience cold feet. To ensure that you do not have PAD, check your feet temperature by placing your hands on both legs. If you notice any difference, you must report to your doctor at the earliest to prevent any fatality.