Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
Overview
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common condition where a build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries restricts blood supply to leg muscles. It's also known as peripheral vascular disease (PVD).
Symptoms
Many people with PAD have no symptoms. However, some develop a painful ache in their legs when they walk, which usually disappears after a few minutes' rest. The medical term for this is "intermittent claudication". The pain can range from mild to severe, and usually goes away after a few minutes when you rest your legs. Both legs are often affected at the same time, although the pain may be worse in 1 leg. Other symptoms of PAD can include: hair loss on your legs and feetnumbness or weakness in the legsbrittle, slow-growing toenailsulcers (open sores) on your feet and legs, which do not healchanging skin colour on your legs, such as turning paler than usual or blue – this may be harder to see on brown and black skinshiny skinin men,erectile dysfunctionthe muscles in your legs shrinking (wasting) The symptoms of PAD often develop slowly, over time. If your symptoms develop quickly, or get suddenly worse, it could be a sign of a serious problem requiring immediate treatment.
Causes
PAD is a form ofcardiovascular disease (CVD)because it affects the blood vessels. It's usually caused by a build-up of fatty deposits in the walls of the leg arteries. The fatty deposits (atheroma) are made up of cholesterol and other waste substances. The build-up of fatty deposits on the walls of the arteries makes the arteries narrower and restricts blood flow to the legs. This process is calledatherosclerosis. There are certain things that can increase your chances of developing PAD and other forms of CVD, including: smoking – the most significant risk factortype 1 diabetesandtype 2 diabeteshigh blood pressure (hypertension)high cholesterolgrowing older
When to see a doctor
You should see a GP if you experience recurring leg pain when exercising. Many people mistakenly think this is just part of growing older, but there's no reason why an otherwise healthy person should experience leg pain. PAD is usually diagnosed through a physical examination by a GP, and by comparing the blood pressure in your arm and your ankle. A difference between the 2 may indicate PAD and is called the ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI). Read aboutdiagnosing PAD.