Peripheral artery disease
Also called: PAD, Peripheral vascular disease, Intermittent claudication
Atherosclerosis narrows the arteries to the legs, causing cramping pain on walking that goes away with rest. It signals widespread arterial disease and a higher risk of heart attack and stroke.
Condition-specific references are below. Individual claims and this page have not been clinically reviewed. Read about this content.
Causes
- Atherosclerosis
Risk factors
- Smoking (strongest)
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- Hypertension
- Age over 50
Symptoms
- Calf, thigh or buttock pain on walking relieved by rest (claudication)
- Cold, pale feet
- Slow-healing foot wounds
- Pain at rest and gangrene in critical limb ischaemia
Diagnosis — tests and examinations
- Ankle–brachial pressure index
- Duplex ultrasound
- CT or MR angiography
Treatment
Medicines and medical treatment
- Antiplatelet therapy and high-intensity statin
- Blood pressure and diabetes control
- Low-dose rivaroxaban plus aspirin in selected patients
- Cilostazol for claudication symptoms
Operations and procedures
- Angioplasty and stenting
- Bypass surgery
- Amputation for unsalvageable limbs
Self-care, home remedies and lifestyle
- Supervised walking exercise — walk to near-maximal pain, rest, repeat
- Stop smoking
- Daily foot care, especially with diabetes
Possible complications
- Critical limb ischaemia
- Ulcers, gangrene and amputation
- Heart attack and stroke
Prevention
- Not smoking; control diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol
Outlook
Symptoms usually stabilise with exercise and risk-factor control; cardiovascular risk remains high.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor for leg pain on walking. Seek urgent care for a cold, painful, pale or numb leg.
Sources and further reading
These sources cover this condition. They have not been checked against every statement on this page.
Related conditions
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