Peripheral artery disease – Symptoms and treatment
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is also known as a peripheral vascular disease. It is a disorder that occurs in the arteries where the blood vessels outside of the heart narrow down. Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen from the heart to all other parts of the body. Generally, most people with PAD mistake their symptoms for other conditions or do not have any symptoms. Painful muscle constraints in the hips or thighs while walking, climbing stairs, or exercising is the most common symptom of PAD. Other common symptoms of PAD are: Claudication or muscle pain in the lower limb while walking or climbing stairs Leg pain that does not go away even after one stops exercising The lower leg or foot may feel chilled Color changes of the skin (redness or pale skin) Increased occurrence of infections Sores on the legs, toes, or feet that do not heal quickly Numbness and weak pulse in the legs Gangrene (dead tissue caused by an infection or lack of blood flow) in the toes The goal of treatment for peripheral artery disease is to manage the symptoms and slow down the progression of atherosclerosis throughout the body. The treatments that will help in reducing the risk of complications associated with PAD are: