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Apr 15, 2024 · Symptoms of peripheral vascular disease in the foot include pain, cramping, and tingling. Find images and learn about causes, treatment, and prevention.
- Nancy Lovering
- Overview
- What are the stages of peripheral artery disease (PAD)?
- Acute limb ischemia (ALI)
- How quickly does peripheral artery disease progress?
- What is considered the first symptom of peripheral arterial disease?
- How can you prevent PAD from progressing?
- Takeaway
PAD typically onsets with no noticeable symptoms. Over time, it can progress and begin causing limb pain and cramping, even when at rest. Early treatment can help to slow the progression and reduce your risk of complications.
PAD is a circulatory condition in which plaque buildup in the body narrows the arteries. Though either the arms or legs may be affected, it’s more common in the legs.
In the beginning, PAD doesn’t cause any symptoms. But as the blockage gets worse, you may start to experience increasingly severe limb cramping and pain.
In the early stages of PAD, lifestyle changes and medication can help to manage the condition. In some cases, early treatment may even reverse some plaque buildup. At all stages, monitoring the progression of PAD can also help to reduce your risk of cardiovascular complications, like heart attacks or stroke.
Asymptomatic
Asymptomatic PAD is when there’s plaque buildup in the arteries but no noticeable symptoms. It may be detected with an imaging study or test conducted for another reason. When PAD is identified this early, lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking or making adjustments to your diet, and medication can help.
Intermittent claudication (IC)
Intermittent claudication (IC) involves limb pain or cramping that generally begins when exercising and improves while resting. The pain is caused by narrowing arteries not sending enough oxygen-rich blood to your muscles. It typically happens in the calves, thighs, or buttocks. Exercise programs and other lifestyle changes, as well as medications, can treat PAD at this stage.
Critical limb ischemia (CLI)
Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is characterized by more severe blockages in the arteries. Those with critical limb ischemia will experience discomfort or pain in the feet or toes, even while at rest. Symptoms tend to worsen at night or with elevation. At this stage, a medical procedure is typically required to prevent permanent physical damage. Critical limb ischemia may also involve skin issues like ulcers, wounds, or gangrene. According to a 2023 review, many peoples’ symptoms do not neatly fit into these categories. This seems to be particularly true for females, who are diagnosed with IC at a lower rate than males, but more likely to be diagnosed with CLI. The review’s authors believe this may be due to biological factors like hormones and smaller vessel sizes. Because hormones may play a role in the progression of PAD, transgender individuals undergoing hormone therapy should discuss specific risk factors with a healthcare professional.
Acute limb ischemia (ALI) is the fourth presentation. While the three types of presentation discussed above provide a model for how PAD may progress over time, ALI occurs suddenly. It’s possible to develop ALI without a previous history of issues with your peripheral arteries.
ALI occurs when a sudden and severe decrease in blood flow to a limb puts it at risk of permanent neuromuscular damage or limb loss. It requires emergency treatment.
Symptoms of ALI include:
•pale skin
•slow pulse
•cold skin
According to a 2019 review, the rate of progression for PAD varies from person to person, making it difficult to predict.
Early intervention with lifestyle changes and medication can make a big difference in how the disease progresses. Be sure to mention any new sensations in your limbs to a healthcare professional, especially if you have an increased risk of developing PAD you’re over the age of 60 or have additional risk factors.
Other PAD risk factors include:
•smoking
•high blood pressure
•diabetes
Catching PAD in its earliest stages can improve health outcomes.
PAD symptoms aren’t always linear. Patients won’t necessarily progress through all the same stages or notice the condition in its earliest forms.
That said, the first symptom typically shows up in the claudication stage, which may involve:
•leg cramping or pain that improves with rest
•a feeling of leg heaviness
•a colder body temperature
A variety of lifestyle changes and medications can help to stop or slow the progression of PAD.
These include:
•quitting smoking
•eating a more nutritious diet (especially one that moderates sugar and sodium)
•getting regular exercise
•managing stress
Leg cramping or pain when exercising are among the earliest symptoms of PAD. If you notice these symptoms, talk with a healthcare professional as soon as possible.
When diagnosed early, PAD can be effectively managed with lifestyle changes and medication. Regular monitoring of the condition can also help to reduce your risk of cardiovascular complications.
Sources (14)
•Aday, AW, et al. (2020). Antiplatelet therapy following peripheral arterial interventions. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCINTERVENTIONS.120.009727
•Hardman, RL, et al. (2014). Overview of classification systems in peripheral artery disease. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4232437
•Jansen-Chaparro S, et al. (2021). Statins and Peripheral Arterial Disease: A Narrative Review. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8645843/
Aug 9, 2024 · Symptoms. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) may not cause symptoms, or symptoms may be mild. PAD symptoms include: Leg pain when walking. Muscle pain or cramping in the arms or legs, often in the calf. Muscle pain in the arms or legs that begins with exercise and ends with rest.
Jul 28, 2023 · Edema in foot and ankle. Swelling of the foot, ankle and leg can be bad enough to leave a dimple, also known as a pit, in the skin after pressing on the area. This swelling, called edema, is the result of too much fluid in the tissues. Congestive heart failure or the vein not working well, also known as venous insufficiency, is often the cause.
Jan 5, 2022 · Foot and ankle symptoms are common, but when is it time to see a doctor for foot and ankle pain or swelling? Learn foot and ankle problems that are more serious, like arthritis, and when to seek professional treatment.
- Nancy Lebrun
- Contributor
In our comprehensive guide, we delve into the myriad causes of foot pain, utilizing detailed charts and diagrams to help you identify potential sources of discomfort. We explore a range of foot and ankle conditions, shedding light on common and less common ailments alike.
May 28, 2024 · You can experience pain anywhere in your foot or ankle that can change the way you move around and function. Here are some of the most common causes of foot or ankle pain and how you may want to handle them. Plantar Fasciitis . Inflammation in the sole of your foot can cause mild to debilitating foot arch pain or pain in the heel of your foot.
