Peripheral artery disease, or PAD, is a circulation problem caused by narrowing or blockage of arteries outside the heart, most commonly in the legs. PAD can cause leg pain with walking, poor wound healing, cold feet, weak pulses, or tissue loss in advanced cases.
PAD is often related to atherosclerosis and is more common in patients with diabetes, smoking history, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, kidney disease, or known heart disease. PAD also signals a higher risk of heart attack and stroke.
Heart and Vascular Specialists evaluates PAD symptoms, risk factors, vascular testing, medical therapy, exercise strategies, and referral for endovascular or surgical treatment when needed.
Symptoms patients may notice
- Leg pain, cramping, heaviness, or fatigue with walking that improves with rest
- Cold, pale, blue, or discolored feet or toes
- Weak or absent pulses
- Numbness, weakness, or reduced walking distance
- Slow-healing sores, ulcers, infection, or skin breakdown
How we evaluate this condition
- Pulse exam, foot and skin check, and vascular risk-factor review
- Ankle-brachial index, arterial Doppler ultrasound, or vascular imaging when appropriate
- Assessment for diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure, smoking, kidney disease, and coronary risk
- Planning urgent revascularizaiton, multi-team coordination for limb-threatening ischemia or severe lifestyle-limiting symptoms
Treatment and care options
- Smoking cessation, cholesterol control, blood pressure management, diabetes care, and foot protection
- Structured walking therapy or supervised exercise therapy when appropriate
- Medications to reduce cardiovascular risk and improve circulation when indicated
- Angioplasty, stenting, atherectomy, bypass referral, or wound-care coordination for selected patients
When to seek urgent care
Call 911 or seek urgent care for sudden severe leg pain, cold/pale limb, new weakness, loss of sensation, spreading infection, or black tissue.
Schedule a PAD and circulation evaluation.
