Peripheral Artery Disease (also called Peripheral Arterial Disease) is a common circulatory problem in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to your limbs.

When you develop Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), your extremities — usually your legs — don't receive enough blood flow to keep up with demand. This causes symptoms, most notably leg pain when walking (claudication).

Peripheral Artery Disease is also likely to be a sign of a more widespread accumulation of fatty deposits in your arteries (atherosclerosis). This condition may be reducing blood flow to your heart and brain, as well as your legs.

You often can successfully treat Peripheral Artery Disease by quitting smoking, but continue to exercise and eating a healthy diet.

The Vascular Assessment includes:-

• Patient’s Blood pressure (BP) is taken.
• Glucose check.
• ABPI (Ankle Brachial Pressure Index). BP taken on both ankles to work out your ABPI.

If you are at risk of Peripheral Arterial Disease you will then be given a form and a letter sent to your GP in case you need to be referred to a vascular surgeon for further tests.

SYMPTOMS OF PAD

While many people with Peripheral Artery Disease have mild or no symptoms, some people have leg pain when walking (claudication).

Claudication symptoms include muscle pain or cramping in your legs or arms that is triggered by activity, such as walking, but disappears after a few minutes of rest. The location of the pain depends on the location of the clogged or narrowed artery. Calf pain is the most common location.

The severity of claudication varies widely, from mild discomfort to debilitating pain. Severe claudication can make it hard for you to walk or do other types of physical activity.

Peripheral Artery Disease signs and symptoms include:-

• Painful cramping in one or both of your hips, thighs or calf muscles after certain activities, such as walking or climbing stairs (claudication).
• Leg numbness or weakness.
• Coldness in your lower leg or foot, especially when compared with the other side.
• Sores on your toes, feet or legs that won't heal.
• A change in the colour of your skin on your legs.
• Hair loss or slower hair growth on your feet and legs.
• Slower growth of your toenails.
• Shiny skin on your legs.
• No pulse or a weak pulse in your legs or feet (checked in clinic).
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If Peripheral Artery Disease progresses, pain may even occur when you're at rest or when you're lying down (ischemic rest pain). It may be intense enough to disrupt sleep. Hanging your legs over the edge of your bed or walking around your room may temporarily relieve the pain.