Peripheral Arterial Disease

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common, but serious, vascular complication in people with diabetes and often goes undetected and should be screened for more frequently. PAD occurs when blood vessels in the legs are narrowed or blocked by fatty deposits, decreasing blood flow to the feet and legs. Individuals with PAD face a higher risk for heart attack, stroke, and death. One in three people with diabetes over the age of 50 is estimated to have this condition. If undetected, PAD can lead to amputations of the lower limbs and increase a person’s risk for having a heart attack or stroke within five years, resulting in death for about one-third of those patients. Early detection of PAD can offer an opportunity to treat risk factors that can slow the progression of the disease and decrease the chance of heart attack and stroke.

Risk factors

• Advanced age
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• High blood cholesterol
• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• Hypertension

Our doctors can perform a diagnostic non-invasive ankle-brachial index (ABI) test to determine if you are at risk or have PAD. The ABI index compares ankle blood pressure against arm blood pressure. Early detection of PAD can offer an opportunity to treat risk factors that can slow the progression of the disease and decrease the chance of heart attack and stroke.

Many individuals with PAD do not experience typical leg symptoms such as cramping, pain, or fatigue known as claudication.

Common Symptoms

• Fatigue, tiredness, or pain in your legs, thighs, or buttocks that always happens when you walk but goes away when you rest.
• Foot or toe pain at rest that often disturbs your sleep
• Skin wounds or ulcers on your feet or toes that are slow to heal (or that do not heal for 8 to 12 weeks)
• Do not ignore leg pain. It is important to discuss any leg or thigh pain that you are having with our doctors since it could be a warning sign of a serious disease such as PAD.