Symptoms of Peripheral Artery Disease You Shouldn't Ignore
Cramping while walking, cold feet, slow-healing wounds — early signs of PAD that warrant a vascular opinion.
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is the narrowing of the arteries that carry blood to your legs, most often caused by atherosclerosis. It affects an estimated 8–10% of adults over 60 in India and is significantly under-diagnosed because early symptoms are easily blamed on age or arthritis.
Early warning signs
- Cramping pain in the calf, thigh or buttock that appears while walking and eases with rest (intermittent claudication).
- Cold, pale or bluish feet — particularly noticeable on one side.
- Weak or absent pulse in the foot or behind the knee.
- Slow-healing cuts, ulcers or blackened toes.
- Loss of hair on the legs and shiny, thin skin.
- Night-time leg pain that improves when you dangle the leg over the bed.
Why early diagnosis matters
Untreated PAD increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and limb loss. Diabetics, smokers, and patients with hypertension or kidney disease are at highest risk. A simple, painless Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) test can detect PAD in minutes.
Treatment options
Mild PAD often responds to supervised exercise, smoking cessation, statins and antiplatelet therapy. Moderate to severe blockages may need angioplasty with stenting or, in select cases, a bypass procedure. Modern endovascular techniques allow most patients to go home the next day.
When to see a vascular surgeon
Book an evaluation if you have leg pain on walking that consistently appears at a predictable distance, any non-healing wound below the knee, or a known history of diabetes plus reduced foot sensation. Early intervention preserves both limb and life.
