Peripheral Artery Disease
Overview
Peripheral artery disease is a condition where the blood vessels outside your heart, usually in your legs, become narrowed and reduce blood flow. If you have it, it is important to take it seriously, as it can affect how well your muscles receive oxygen during movement.
This narrowing is most often caused by a build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries, similar to what happens in coronary artery disease. As blood flow becomes restricted, your muscles may not get enough oxygen during activity, which can lead to discomfort or pain.
You may notice symptoms gradually, especially when walking or exercising. Without proper care, the condition can progress and increase the risk of more serious complications. With early detection and the right management, peripheral artery disease can be controlled, helping you maintain mobility and reduce long-term risk.
Symptoms
Symptoms often develop gradually and may be more noticeable during activity. You may experience:
- Pain, cramping, or aching in your legs during walking or exercise
- Pain that improves with rest
- Weakness or heaviness in your legs
- Coldness in one leg or foot compared to the other
- Slow-healing wounds or sores on your feet or legs
- Changes in skin colour or hair loss on the legs
In some cases, symptoms may be mild at first and become more noticeable over time.
Causes & Risk Factors
Peripheral artery disease is usually caused by reduced blood flow due to narrowed arteries. You may be at higher risk if you:
- Have high blood pressure
- Have high cholesterol
- Have diabetes
- Smoke or have a history of smoking
- Are physically inactive
- Are overweight
- Have a history of heart disease
These factors can damage blood vessels over time, making it harder for blood to reach your limbs.
When to Seek Care
You should seek medical advice if you:
- Experience leg pain or cramping during walking that improves with rest
- Notice wounds on your feet or legs that are slow to heal
- Feel persistent coldness or weakness in your legs
- Have known risk factors for vascular disease
Emergency Symptoms
Seek immediate medical care if you experience:
- Sudden, severe pain in your leg or foot
- A leg or foot that becomes cold, pale, or numb
- Loss of movement in the affected limb
- Wounds that rapidly worsen or show signs of infection
Prevention
You can reduce your risk of peripheral artery disease by managing the factors that affect your blood vessels:
- Keep your blood pressure under control
- Manage cholesterol and blood sugar levels
- Stay physically active
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Avoid smoking
- Attend regular health check-ups
Diagnostics Used
If peripheral artery disease is suspected, your care team will assess blood flow to your limbs. You may have:
- Arterial Doppler (Per Leg)
- CT Abdominal Angiography
- Lipogram/Lipid Profile
- Glucose Fasting
- HBA1C
- CBC
- RFTs for imaging
- CRP (C-Reactive Protein)
Support Services
Managing peripheral artery disease focuses on improving blood flow and maintaining mobility. You can benefit from:
- Specialist assessment and follow-up
- Supervised exercise programmes
- Medication to improve circulation
- Lifestyle and risk factor management
- Support for related conditions such as diabetes and heart disease
This approach helps reduce symptoms and prevent complications over time.