If you have arteries that are blocked in the legs then you may have peripheral artery disease (PAD). PAD increases your risk for heart disease and stroke. If it becomes severe it can lead to gangrene and amputation. Therefore, it is important to know how to recognize the signs and symptoms. The American Heart Association states that many people mistake the symptoms of PAD for something else and it often goes undiagnosed by medical professionals. While some people who have PAD have no symptoms at all; in others there are classic signs.
Common Signs
According to the American Heart Association "The most common symptom of PAD is painful cramping in the hips, thighs or calves when walking, climbing stairs or exercising." This pain usually subsides with rest. Unfortunately, many patients dismiss this as muscle pain. To help tell the difference, keep in mind that pain associated with blocked arteries in the leg is felt in the muscle, not the joint.
Other Signs
If the arteries in the legs are blocked you may also notice weakness and sensations of numbness or heaviness in your legs or feet. According to the Mayo Clinic you may also experience hair loss on the legs and feet and the skin on the legs may appear pale or bluish.
Additional Signs
The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute states that you may find that the pulse in the legs or feet is very weak or absent. Poor nail growth on the toes is another common sign.
Severe Symptoms
The following symptoms may suggest that your PAD has become worse: leg pain that continues even after you stop exercising, wounds on the feet and toes that do not heal properly or heal slowly and a difference in temperature of one foot compared to the other foot and the rest of the body.
