Narrowing of the blood vessels in the legs and arms can cause pain while walking, coldness, and non-healing wounds.
When to seek emergency care
If any of the following signs occur, call *3003 immediately — do not wait for a routine appointment:
- Sudden coldness and pallor of the leg
- Loss of sensation and movement
- Severe leg pain at rest
- A blackened wound and tissue death
What is it?
The disease is important for both leg health and overall cardiovascular risk. In patients with peripheral artery disease, coronary and cerebrovascular risk should also be assessed.
Symptoms
- Calf pain while walking
- Coldness of the foot
- Weak pulse
- Nail and skin changes
- Pain at rest
- A non-healing wound
Causes & risk factors
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- High cholesterol
- Age
- Coronary artery disease
- Kidney disease
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is not based on a single test alone. Symptoms, risk factors, physical examination findings, and instrumental test results are assessed together.
- Ankle-brachial index
- Doppler ultrasound
- CT/MR angiography
- Catheter angiography in selected cases
- Assessment of wounds and infection
Treatment approaches
Treatment is individualized according to disease severity, the patient's overall condition, comorbidities, and procedural risk.
- Smoking cessation
- A walking program
- Antiplatelet and statin therapy
- Balloon angioplasty and stenting
- Bypass surgery in selected cases
How we help
At the center, blood flow, wound risk, and overall cardiovascular risk are assessed together in patients with peripheral artery disease. Endovascular and surgical approaches are selected individually.
When a procedure may be needed
An intervention may be needed if walking distance decreases substantially, pain at rest is present, a wound does not heal, or vascular imaging shows severe obstruction.
Patient checklist
- Record the distance you can walk
- If you have a wound on your leg, track it with photographs and dates
- Bring your Doppler ultrasound/CT reports
- Improve diabetes control
FAQ
Is peripheral artery disease only a leg problem?
No. It may be an indicator of systemic atherosclerosis, and the risk to the heart and brain vessels is also increased.
Does a walking program really help?
A supervised walking program can improve symptoms in suitable patients.
Last updated: