4 Sneaky Signs of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) 

Serious health problems don’t always come with dramatic, immediately recognizable symptoms. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) can lead to heart attack, stroke, and limb amputation, but the warning signs can be surprisingly easy to miss.

September is PAD Awareness Month, and at Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology, LLC, our team is here to help you better understand your vascular health. We specialize in preventive care, focusing on early detection and treatment to reduce your risk of complications down the line.

Even though 8-12 million people in the United States have a diagnosis, countless others may be living with PAD and not even know it. Here are four sneaky signs you should have on your radar.

Leg pain or cramping during activity

At first, cramping, aching, or a feeling of heaviness in your legs while walking or exercising may not seem like a cause for concern. You might chalk it up to being out of shape or getting older, but this pain — known as intermittent claudication — is the most common early symptom of PAD.

PAD occurs when plaque buildup narrows the arteries that carry blood to your limbs. A lack of blood flow means that your muscles don’t get the oxygen they need during activity, which is what causes the cramping and discomfort.

Unlike typical muscle cramps that can come on at any time, intermittent claudication is predictable. It appears after a certain amount of activity and subsides quickly with rest.

Weakness or numbness in your legs and feet

Poor circulation due to PAD can also cause weakness, numbness, or tingling in your legs and feet, even when you’re at rest. Insufficient blood flow prevents the nerves in your lower extremities from getting the oxygen they need.

It’s easy to mistake these sensations as a leg or foot “falling asleep” or the result of a pinched nerve. However, if the feeling persists even after you stand up or change position, it could indicate a more serious issue.

Cold or discolored feet

If it feels like you always have cold feet, the temperature may not be to blame — it could be narrowed arteries preventing enough oxygen-rich blood from reaching your lower legs and feet. One foot may feel distinctly colder to the touch than the other, even in a warm room.

Restricted blood flow can also cause visible changes to the skin. With PAD, your foot may take on a reddish or purple color, and you might notice it turns pale when elevated and red again when lowered.

Leg hair or toenail changes

Though you might notice how quickly your hair or your fingernails grow, most people tend to pay less attention to the pace of their leg hair and toenail growth. But a slowdown here could be another sneaky sign of PAD.

The growth of your hair and nails relies on a steady supply of oxygen and nutrients from the blood. When blood flow slows, these non-essential areas are often the first to feel it, leading to brittle, slow-growing toenails and sparse or absent hair growth on the lower legs. 

Taking control of peripheral artery disease

The key to staying ahead of PAD is early detection, and our team has the tools to help. We offer advanced vascular testing and in-house lab services to accurately diagnose your condition and develop a personalized treatment plan that fits your life.

Don’t let PAD sneak up on you. Call Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology, LLC, or book online to make an appointment in West Bridgewater, Massachusetts.