September 26, 2025

Have you ever felt pain or tiredness in your legs when walking? It could be a warning sign of Peripheral Artery Disease or PAD, often called a "silent" disease because many don't realize they have it until things get serious. What happens is this: the arteries that supply blood to your legs become narrower, letting less blood pass through. This can cause pain, wounds that don't heal, or even worse, amputation if not treated on time. Experts say early detection is very important. Nearly 21 million Americans suffer from PAD, but many think their leg pain is just because they are getting older. This confusion is stronger for women, who might feel only vague leg pain, tiredness, or aches, instead of sharp pain when walking like men do. This difference means women are often diagnosed late, sometimes after other health issues like arthritis or nerve problems hide the real cause. So, what raises your risk? After age 50, it becomes more likely. Smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are big troublemakers. Family history matters too. Sadly, Black and Hispanic communities face higher risks. Jennifer Jones-McMeans, Abbott’s divisional vice president of global clinical affairs, shared, “Many people with PAD don’t have noticeable symptoms, especially in the early stages,” and “Others may mistake symptoms like leg fatigue or discomfort for normal signs of aging.” Other signs to watch out for include numbness, tingling, leg weakness, cold feet, skin color changes, shiny or hairless skin, and sores with different-colored centers. Jones-McMeans explains, “In some cases, the skin around the wound can look shiny, pale or feel cool to the touch.” These signs show blood is not flowing well, which slows or stops healing. How do doctors find out if you have PAD? There are easy tests! One common one called the ankle-brachial index compares blood pressure in your ankle and arm. Ultrasound imaging checks blood flow, and angiography gives a detailed look at your blood vessels. These help doctors catch the problem before it becomes dangerous. What if you catch PAD? Treatment aims to get your blood flowing and control risk factors fast! Stop smoking, eat a heart-healthy diet, and keep moving. If needed, medicines can lower cholesterol and blood pressure or help circulation. For serious cases, doctors may do procedures like angioplasty to open arteries or bypass surgery. If untreated, PAD can cause critical limb ischemia — where tissue dies from lack of blood flow — leading to infections or even amputation. Plus, it raises your chances of heart attack or stroke. Prevention and early action can save legs and lives. Remember, pain or discomfort in legs while walking is a big red flag. If you smoke, have diabetes, are older, or have high blood pressure or cholesterol, be extra careful! Don’t ignore those leg aches — your legs and heart will thank you.

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Tags: Peripheral artery disease, Pad symptoms, Pad treatment, Leg pain, Risk factors, Diagnosis,