Peripheral Arterial Disease occurs when extra cholesterol and other fats circulating in the blood collect in the wall of the arteries that supply blood. This plaque narrow your arteries, reducing or blocking the blood flow. It is more frequent in legs, but can also occur in your head, arms, stomach or kidneys. Nearly everyone that has Peripheral Arterial Disease suffer from an inability to walk as fast, or as far as they could before.



Your risk increases if you are over the age of 50, smoke or used to smoke, have diabetes, have high blood pressures, have high blood cholesterol, have a personal history of vascular disease, heart attack or stroke, or are african american.

The specialist for Peripheral Arterial Disease is the vascular surgeon, but a family physician should be able to diagnose. It is very important the medical and family history, the physical exam, and, if necessary, diagnostic tests.

The treatment should include lifestyle changes: quit smoking, lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and lower glucose levels; follow a healthy eating plan, be more physically active, aim a healthy weight. Medication can be used to help accomplish that.

Sometimes, special procedures, like endovascular angioplasty and surgeries may be needed.

Early treatment of Peripheral Arterial Disease can restore your mobility, decrease your risk for heart attack and stroke, and possibly save your life.

The symptoms and signs for Peripheral Arterial Disease are: claudication (fatigue, heaviness, tiredness, cramping in the leg muscle that occurs during activity such as walking or climbing stairs, this pain goes away once the activity is stopped and during rest), pain in the legs or feet, sores or wounds on toes, feet or leg, color changes in the skin of the feet, a lower temperature in one leg, poor nail growth and decreased hair growth on toes and legs.

Consult a vascular surgeon if needed.