Patient LoginWhat is peripheral artery disease? Well, peripheral arterial disease is a condition that occurs when a blocked, clogged, and/or narrowed artery in one of your legs reduces blood flow to it. Symptoms of this condition may include: skin changes, a slow pulse, erectile dysfunction, a burning sensation, and/or muscle cramps, numbness and weakness. Peripheral artery disease can cause symptoms that resemble other non-serious health conditions, therefore it is important that you seek immediate medical treatment, if you suspect that you have this condition.
It is important to note that in severe cases, peripheral artery disease can lead to heart attacks, strokes, amputations, and/or death. This condition is typically treated with lifestyle changes (i.e. a healthier diet, regular exercise, and a reduction or avoidance of fatty foods and nicotine). If you are wondering what peripheral artery disease feels like, you have come to the right place. This article will provide you with symptoms commonly associated with peripheral arterial disease.
Symptoms commonly associated with peripheral arterial disease include:
Skin Changes
If you have peripheral arterial disease, you may experience skin changes. In other words, the hair on the affected leg may fall out, and/or the skin color of your affected leg may change colors. Moreover, your toenail color may change, and/or you may develop sores on your foot that take a long time to heal.
Slow Pulse
You may also experience a slow pulse, if you have peripheral arterial disease. This is especially true, during the later stages of the disease. As your disease progresses, your physician may notice that your pulse is weaker in the affected leg than in the healthier leg. The reduced blood flow, caused by a weak pulse in the affected limb (i.e. leg and/or foot), may cause your skin to feel cool or cold. Moreover, a slow pulse can cause the affected leg to turn a bluish tint (cyanotic).
Erectile Dysfunction
Contrary to popular belief, peripheral arterial disease can lead to erectile dysfunction, in some men. It is important to note that this symptom typically occurs in diabetic men.
Burning Sensation
Although movement can trigger or aggravate peripheral arterial disease, that is not always the case. In fact, in some cases, peripheral arterial disease symptoms can occur while in a resting mode (i.e. sitting down or lying down). Some individuals with this condition have reported feeling a burning sensation in the affected foot and/or toes when resting or sleeping. These individuals also reported that the burning feeling is so severe that it awakens them from a deep sleep.
Muscle Cramps, Numbness & Weakness
Lastly, if you are suffering from peripheral arterial disease, you may experience muscle cramps, numbness, and weakness. These muscle cramps may occur in your thigh, hip, foot, and/or calf. In addition, the muscle pain and weakness is pronounced after physical activities such as: walking up stairs, exercising, and running. As the disease progresses, you may also notice a change in the nerves in your affected leg. In other words, you may start to notice numbness in various parts of the affected leg. In some cases, the numbness may gradually increase until you lose function in that leg. Furthermore, it is not uncommon to experience muscle weakness in the affected leg, rending it difficult to move.
References:
Cleveland Clinic. (2014). Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) overview. Retrieved from http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/disorders/vascular/pad.aspx
Mayo Clinic. (2012). Peripheral arterial disease. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peripheral-artery-disease/basics/definition/con-20028731