Patient Education
Signs and Symptoms of Peripheral Arterial Disease (P.A.D.)
Peripheral Arterial Disease (P.A.D.) develops slowly over many years. In the early stages, most people with P.A.D. have no symptoms. Only about one out of four people with P.A.D. actually feel symptoms of P.A.D.Below are typical signs and symptoms of P.A.D.
- Claudication (pain), fatigue, heaviness, tiredness, cramping in the leg muscles (buttocks, thigh, or calf) that occurs during activity such as walking or climbing stairs.
- Pain in the legs and/or feet that disturb sleep.
- Sores or wounds on toes, feet, or legs that heal slowly, poorly, or not at all.
- Color changes in the skin of the feet, including paleness or blueness.
- Lower temperature in one leg compared to the other leg.
- Poor nail growth and decreased hair growth on toes and legs.
- Leg muscle atrophy (wasting or loss of muscle tissue).