What are the symptoms of Peripheral Arterial Disease? [Dr. Abadir]

Q: What are the symptoms of Peripheral Arterial Disease?

A: The symptoms of Peripheral Arterial Disease range in severity. At first, patients will notice mild pain in their legs such as cramping as they’re walking. When they stop and rest, the cramping goes away. As things get more severe, they’ll find that the distance they can walk without cramping becomes increasingly shorter. Going up hills or stairs becomes tougher. When the symptoms become even more severe, they can have pain even when they’re not exercising or when they’re resting in bed. Patients will often tell me that they’ll be in bed, get a cramp in their leg, and have to get out of bed and walk around or hang their leg off the side of the bed to alleviate the pain. As the symptoms continue to progress, they’ll experience more troublesome findings, including gangrene in the toes or a patch of skin that turns black or brown. This patch of skin can open up into an ulcer.

More videos from the interview with Dr. Abadir of the Fishkill Endovascular Center as he explains the risk factors and treatments of Peripheral Arterial Disease. 

• How is Peripheral Arterial Disease diagnosed?
• Why is Peripheral Arterial Disease dangerous if left untreated?
• Can Peripheral Arterial Disease be reversed?
• Who is prone to getting Peripheral Arterial Disease?
• How common is Peripheral Arterial Disease?