Leg Pain

Leg Pain may be a symptom of PAD: What is Peripheral Arterial Disease, or PAD? Sometimes known as atherosclerosis, hardening of the arteries or just poor circulation, PAD is a narrowing of the arteries in the legs. As less blood reaches the leg muscles, your legs hurt, like angina or a heart attack makes the heart muscles hurt. This leg pain is a warning sign and treatment can help you avoid heart attacks and feel better.

It's not just your legs, it's your life: PAD is symptom of blockages in the arteries in your legs, but it may also indicate that blockages are occurring in the arteries to your heart or brain. In fact, if you have PAD your risk of having heart problems can be up to six times higher than normal. PAD can also increase your risk of stroke or limit your walking or independence. PAD is serious and needs to be treated.

What are the symptoms of PAD?: PAD affects between 8 and 15 million people in the USA--but at least half of those affected have no symptoms! Often the first symptom is cramping in your legs that goes away when you stop and rest. More severe PAD with insufficient blood flow to the feet and legs may cause pain in the feet and toes while resting. Since other illnesses can cause leg pain, only your doctor can determine if you have PAD.

What you can do:

        Quit smoking. Smoking clearly worsens the effects of PAD.  

        Walk.One of the best things you can do is walk.Walking has lots of
           benefits, even if you can't walk very far. Work with your doctor.

        Take all prescribed medications. It is very important to keep your blood pressure,            cholesterol, and if you have diabetes, blood sugar levels within normal ranges.           your doctor may also prescribe treatment to prevent the formation of blood clots.

        Watch what you eat. A healthy diet can improve diabetes control, lower blood           pressure and cholesterol and provide benefits for general well-being.