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High blood pressure, arrhythmias, vascular disease — these are all major factors for heart disease, including heart attack and stroke. Given that these conditions can set the stage for serious health problems down the road, it’s worth monitoring for them closely.
To that end, Dr. Satjit Bhusri and the team here at The Upper East Side Vein Institute want to take a closer look at peripheral artery disease (PAD), which affects about 12 million Americans.
PAD may not only place you more at risk for heart disease, but the condition also comes with its own complications, including risk of infection and amputation in your lower limbs. So, it’s worth recognizing the signs of PAD so you can take preemptive action.
PAD and leg pain
Leg pain is the most oft-cited symptom of PAD, but it’s a symptom that only crops up in six out of 10 people with PAD. That means that 40% of people with PAD don’t experience this hard-to-ignore sign of a problem.
Those who do experience PAD-related discomfort often encounter what we call claudication, which is cramping and aching in your lower legs, as well as in your thighs and buttocks. This pain typically goes away quickly when you’re at rest.
The reason you experience this pain is that your legs aren’t getting enough blood flow, thanks to blockages in the arteries that deliver blood down to your lower extremities. So, when you exercise and walk, your demand for blood and oxygen goes up, and your blood vessels can’t handle the extra demand, leaving your muscles starved of oxygen. As a result, you can experience leg pain.
Other signs of PAD
The poor circulation in your legs that’s caused by PAD can lead to other telltale signs of the vascular disease, such as:
- Hair loss in your legs
- Cold feet
- Numb feet
- Muscle atrophy and weakness
- Shiny patches of skin
- Wounds that are slow to heal
Though all these symptoms are worrisome, the last one on our list is of particular concern. Without good blood flow to your lower limbs, ulcers and sores can’t heal properly, which leaves you open to chronic wounds and infection.
Getting help for your PAD
The reason why we want you to sit up and take notice of any of the signs that we outlined above is that PAD is progressive. Any blockages in your arteries to this point can't be reversed, but we can work toward preventing them from getting worse.
From medications to lifestyle changes, we can help you take control of your PAD and potentially reverse the course of your health.
The best way to determine whether you have PAD is to come see us for a comprehensive vein evaluation. To get that ball rolling, please call our New York City office on the Upper East Side of Manhattan at 212-752-3464. You can also schedule an appointment online by clicking here.