{"id":20760,"date":"2021-04-28T18:18:32","date_gmt":"2021-04-28T18:18:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=20760"},"modified":"2021-11-05T16:05:13","modified_gmt":"2021-11-05T16:05:13","slug":"14-signs-of-peripheral-artery-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-signs-of-peripheral-artery-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Signs of Peripheral Artery Disease"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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Peripheral artery disease is a condition where the arteries become clogged with plaque. When this plaque builds up inside of the arteries it can make it difficult for blood to circulate. This condition typically reduces blood flow to the limbs, most commonly the legs. When a person has peripheral artery disease it can increase the risk of having a major cardiac event such as a stroke or heart attack. In addition, peripheral artery diseases increase the risk of needing amputation of one or both of the legs. Unfortunately, this disease is not well-known, despite the many risks that come with it. In fact, peripheral artery disease affects over twenty million people in the United States. One of the reasons that many people do not realize that they have this dangerous disease is because the symptoms can be difficult to spot. Here are 14 of the common signs of peripheral artery disease.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Leg Pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most common symptoms of peripheral artery disease is a pain in the legs. Of course, this symptom is easy to ignore and write off as there are many reasons a person might have pain in their legs. Perhaps you participated in a hard workout or went for a run. You might have just overexerted yourself. The excuses for why your legs might hurt are far and wide. However, a person suffering from peripheral artery disease<\/a> will typically experience severe pain in their calves. The reason that this pain occurs is that the lower part of the legs is not getting enough blood. Peripheral artery disease blocks or slows down blood flow to the limbs. When the legs do not have enough blood, they can start to ache and hurt. If you are frequently experiencing pain in your legs, it could be a sign that you have peripheral artery disease.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Poor Nail Growth<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your toenails and fingernails are likely something that you do not think much about. You will cut them when they get long and then move on. However, you probably do notice that they grow at a fairly decent pace and you have to cut them often. If you are suffering from peripheral artery disease, you may start to notice that your nails are not growing at all. In fact, it is important to consider how often you cut your nails. If you notice that you are not cutting your nails as often as you once did, it could be a sign that you have peripheral artery disease. This condition can cut off blood flow<\/a> to the hands and feet. When this occurs, your nails are not going to grow as fast because they are not getting the blood that they need. Once again, this is a tricky symptom that often is missed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Poor Hair Growth<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another common symptom of someone suffering from peripheral artery disease is that their hair stops growing. Unfortunately, slow hair growth and hair loss<\/a> are common among many people as they start to age, which is one of the reasons that this symptom is often missed among people who are suffering from peripheral artery disease. If you notice that your hair is not growing as much as it used to or that your hair is starting to fall out, it could be a sign of peripheral artery disease. There are other health conditions that can cause this as well. An issue with your thyroid could be the cause. It is best to go to your doctor to discuss your hair loss or lack of hair growth so that you can determine the underlying cause. If it is peripheral artery disease that is causing the problem, treatment should be started right away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Wounds that Do Not Heal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you get a cut or a scrape, it will typically heal in just a few days. Perhaps you have a gash in your leg, this might take a bit longer to heal, but it will eventually go away. If you are suffering from peripheral artery disease it is likely that you will have wounds on your legs or other areas of your body that simply do not heal. If you are treating your wound as normal with bandages and topical ointment and it is not healing, there could be an underlying health issue that is causing it. Another issue that can arise when your wounds <\/a>are not healing properly is you are at a higher risk of infection. The longer the wound remains open, the more likely it is to become infected. This can lead to further health issues. See your doctor if you have any wounds that are not healing on their own. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Cold Legs and Feet<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In order to maintain a constant body temperature, blood must be able to flow freely. Circulation <\/a>is important and when a person has plaque build up in their arteries, it can reduce circulation. A person suffering from plaque buildup in the arteries may find that their legs and feet are quite cold to the touch. This is because the blood is struggling to get through the veins found in the legs and feet. Reduced circulation in the legs and feet leads to this feeling of coldness. If you notice that your legs are feeling cold and so are your feet, it could be a sign that you have peripheral artery disease. It is important to make sure that you discuss this with your doctor, especially if you have other symptoms on this list. This is yet another symptom of peripheral artery disease that is often missed.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Weak Pulse in Legs and Feet<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another sign that a person might be suffering from peripheral artery disease is a weak pulse in the legs and feet. If you are suffering from some of the symptoms on this list, your doctor might simply check the pulse in your legs and feet. If your doctor finds that your pulse is weak in these areas it is a good sign that you might be suffering from peripheral artery disease. The blocked arteries will cause a reduced flow of blood, which means that the pulse in these areas is going to be much weaker than normal. Your doctor will likely compare the pulse in your wrist or neck to the pulse in your legs to determine if your circulation is poorer in your legs and feet. Another test called an ankle-brachial index will test the blood pressure in your legs. This can provide valuable insight into the blood flow of your legs.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Injury<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The most common cause of peripheral artery disease is a build-up of plaque in the arteries. However, at times a blood clot<\/a> can form inside of the artery wall and restrict the flow of oxygen and other nutrients. A person might develop peripheral artery disease as the result of an accident that causes injury to the limb. A congenital disability that causes irregular ligament anatomy or irregular muscle anatomy can also cause peripheral artery disease to develop. If you have injured your limb and it is not healing correctly or you are still in pain long after the injury occurred, it could be a sign of an underlying condition. Blood clots that form can become quite dangerous, as they can travel into the lungs or other organs and become life-threatening, which is why it is important to discuss these symptoms with your doctor.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Radiation Treatment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Radiation <\/a>is used as a treatment for many types of cancer as well as other diseases. A person who is undergoing radiation treatment could develop peripheral artery disease. As a person is receiving radiation treatment it can cause damage to the blood vessels. As the blood vessels are damaged, they will not be able to properly transport oxygen and other nutrients throughout the body. This can lead to blockages and other issues such as some of the symptoms listed. If you are undergoing radiation treatment for cancer it is important to talk to your doctor if you notice issues with your legs and feet as this could be a sign that your blood vessels have been damaged and are struggling to get blood to your legs and feet. Clots can also develop, causing more health issues. It is important to discuss this with a medical professional as soon as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Risk Factors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are some risk factors<\/a> that can raise the risk of developing peripheral artery disease. A person who is over the age of 50 is more likely to develop peripheral artery disease. A family history of stroke or a heart attack can also increase the risk of developing this condition. Men are more likely to develop this condition and women who are post-menopausal are also at a higher risk. Some of the other factors that can contribute to peripheral artery disease include smoking cigarettes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, low HDL cholesterol, high blood triglycerides, and being inactive. All of these things can contribute to a person getting peripheral artery disease. If you are over 50 and have a family history of this condition, and you are experiencing any of the symptoms on this list, it is important to make sure you discuss this with your doctor.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Shiny Skin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The skin <\/a>has a certain color and texture. It is often a bit rough, has hair, and is a certain color. A person that is suffering from peripheral artery disease may notice a change in the skin on their legs and possibly on their feet. When a person has this condition the skin on the legs will often become quite smooth. The appearance of the skin will be shiny, almost like they have put oil all over their legs. The lack of blood flow is one of the reasons that this might happen to someone who is suffering from this disease. If you notice a change in the texture of the skin on your legs, it could be the result of not enough blood getting to your extremities. There is a good chance that you will have some of the other symptoms on this list as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Gangrene<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When the arteries become blocked it can cause many issues within the body. The blocked arteries make it harder or impossible for blood to reach the brain, limbs, and organs. The lack of blood in these areas can cause an extreme amount of damage. The damage can cause an infection or the death of tissue in these areas. A person who has peripheral artery disease may develop sores that just will not heal. These wounds can be quite susceptible to infection. The infection could set in the bones and the tissues, this is called gangrene<\/a>. Once gangrene has set in there is not much that can be done. There are some treatments, but if the infection has gone too far a person might lose the limb as this is the only way to keep the infection from spreading throughout the other areas of the body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Color Change in Legs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When a person has peripheral artery disease it really affects the legs and feet. As mentioned, the skin on the legs may start to appear shiny as a result of this disease. In addition, a person might notice that their legs are a different color. This color change is a result of not getting enough blood to the legs. The legs might appear bluer in color as a result of not getting the oxygen <\/a>and other nutrients that they need to function properly. If you notice the color of your skin changes, it is important to go to the doctor right away as this is a sign of an underlying issue. Your doctor will run tests to determine what is causing this symptom to occur. If it is determined that you are suffering from peripheral artery disease, exercise, diet, and medicines will likely be recommended.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Erectile Dysfunction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are many reasons that a male might develop erectile dysfunction<\/a>. When it comes to getting an erection, blood flow is extremely important. The better the blood flow to the penis, the harder the erection. Men who suffer from peripheral artery disease are more likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction. This is because peripheral artery disease is caused by a blockage in the arteries. When the arteries are blocked it makes it more difficult for blood to flow. As the blood cannot flow freely, it can make it more difficult for a man to get an erection. Most of the time a man who is suffering from not being able to get an erection will be embarrassed by the fact and not seek medical treatment. However, erectile dysfunction can be a symptom of an underlying health issue such as peripheral artery disease, which is why it is important to discuss it with your doctor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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15. Pain in the Arms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While peripheral artery disease is most often associated with the legs, it can also occur in the arms. A person who is suffering from this condition may develop pain in their arms, hands, and fingers. The reason for this is because blood <\/a>is not flowing into these areas freely. You might notice that when you are writing or performing other menial tasks with your arms, they begin to hurt. Once again, this is a symptom that often goes unnoticed as there are many reasons that your arms might start to hurt. If you are suffering from arm and leg pain that you simply cannot explain, it is a good idea to discuss it with your doctor. There is a chance that there is an underlying health condition that is causing you to experience this type of pain and it could be a sign that you have peripheral artery disease. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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