Peripheral Artery Disease - Symptoms And Causes
A member of the American College of Physicians, Aiman Hamdan, MD, is an assistant professor at Senton Hall University. During his medical career, Aiman Hamdan has performed over 15,000 procedures and has published many medical research articles, including “The Prevalence of Peripheral Arterial Disease in HIV Patients.”
A common circulatory problem, peripheral artery disease, also known as PAD, is a condition where blood flow to the limbs is restricted due to narrowed arteries. Peripheral artery disease is often caused by the accumulation of fatty deposits in arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis.
Claudication, a sensation of pain in the legs, especially while exercising, is the primary symptom of peripheral artery disease. The severity of the leg pain varies from person to person, and some PAD patients may have no symptoms at all. While the calf is the most commonly affected area, pain can occur in any area of the leg, depending on the location of the narrowed or clogged artery. Other symptoms of PAD include leg numbness, change in color of legs, sores on toes and feet, foot coldness, weak pulse in legs or feet, and loss of hair or slower hair growth on legs. In men, peripheral artery disease can result in erectile dysfunction.
Smoking, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol level, and high homocysteine levels are some common causes of peripheral artery disease. A healthy lifestyle, including exercise and eating of food low in saturated fat content, can help prevent the disease.
A common circulatory problem, peripheral artery disease, also known as PAD, is a condition where blood flow to the limbs is restricted due to narrowed arteries. Peripheral artery disease is often caused by the accumulation of fatty deposits in arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis.
Claudication, a sensation of pain in the legs, especially while exercising, is the primary symptom of peripheral artery disease. The severity of the leg pain varies from person to person, and some PAD patients may have no symptoms at all. While the calf is the most commonly affected area, pain can occur in any area of the leg, depending on the location of the narrowed or clogged artery. Other symptoms of PAD include leg numbness, change in color of legs, sores on toes and feet, foot coldness, weak pulse in legs or feet, and loss of hair or slower hair growth on legs. In men, peripheral artery disease can result in erectile dysfunction.
Smoking, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol level, and high homocysteine levels are some common causes of peripheral artery disease. A healthy lifestyle, including exercise and eating of food low in saturated fat content, can help prevent the disease.
