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PVD/PAD Symptoms
Symptoms of Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) / Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
Approximately half the people diagnosed with peripheral vascular disease are symptom free.
Claudication
The most common symptom of peripheral vascular disease is called intermittent claudication. Claudication refers to limping because of pain in the thigh, calf, and/or buttocks that occurs when walking.
The pain or discomfort of claudication starts with walking or exercising and stops with rest. During rest, the muscles need less blood flow, so the pain disappears. However, walking or exercising increases the demand for oxygen and nutrients needed for the leg muscles to do work.
Decreased blood flow through the affected artery of the leg(s), due to blockage, decreases the amount of oxygen and nutrients to the muscles and may result in pain. This symptom is reproducible (the same exercise, at the same pace, and the same distance, will reproduce the same symptom), which is helpful in diagnosing the condition.
Just as chest pain or angina of the heart can signal a heart attack, intermittent claudication may be considered as "angina of the legs" and may indicate lack of blood flow to the legs. Claudication may occur in one or both legs depending on the location of the clogged or narrowed artery.
Atherosclerosis
Peripheral vascular disease caused by atherosclerosis may be present with symptoms or without symptoms. The presence of symptoms may depend on the degree to which blood flow to the leg muscles has been decreased. Symptoms may range from mild to moderate to severe.
Critical limb ischemia (CLI)
The most severe symptom of peripheral vascular disease caused by atherosclerosis is called critical limb ischemia (lack of oxygen to the limb/leg at rest). Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is defined as pain in the leg(s) while at rest, or "rest pain."
CLI is also associated with the breakdown of tissues (muscle/skin) in the form of ulcers or gangrene in the limb, which may occur because blood flow to the limb is so decreased that the basic needs of the limb for oxygen and nutrients are not being met. Critical limb ischemia may include some or all of the symptoms of peripheral vascular disease as well.
Other symptoms of peripheral vascular disease may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Cool/cold feet to touch
- Pain (described as burning or aching) in the legs while lying flat that is relieved when sitting
- Commonly in the toes and at night
- Loss of pulses in legs or feet
- Pale color when legs are raised up
- Dependent rubor: Redness when legs are in a hanging down position
- Brittle, thin, or shiny skin on the legs and feet
- Loss of hair on feet
- Non-healing wounds or ulcers over pressure points, such as heels or ankles
- Gangrene (dead tissue due to lack of blood flow)
- Loss of muscle or fatty tissue
- Impotence
- Numbness, weakness, or heaviness in muscles
- Reddish-blue discoloration of the extremities
- Restricted mobility
- Severe pain
- Thickened, opaque toenails (may have a fungal infection)
The symptoms of peripheral vascular disease may resemble other conditions. Consult your physician for a diagnosis.
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