Patient Education
What puts you at risk for Peripheral Arterial Disease (P.A.D.)?
Diabetes
People with diabetes are at higher risk for having Peripheral Arterial Disease (P.A.D.). Some studies have found that one out of three people with diabetes over age 50 has P.A.D., and P.A.D. is even more common in African Americans and Hispanics who have diabetes. Because many people with diabetes do not have feeling in their feet or legs due to nerve disease, they may have P.A.D. but cannot feel any symptoms. As a result, they do not know they have P.A.D., or they may have it for a long time before it is diagnosed. Further, when blood flow to your feet and legs is narrowed or blocked due to P.A.D., it takes longer for cuts or wounds to heal, which may increase the risk for amputation.If you have diabetes, talk with your health care provider right away if you have any of these P.A.D. warning signs:
- Fatigue, tiredness or pain in your legs, thighs or buttocks that happens when you walk but goes away when you rest.
- Foot or toe pain at rest that often disturbs your sleep.
- Skin sores or wounds on your feet or toes that are slow to heal.