Vascular disease develops gradually over time, and early symptoms are subtle enough to easily miss. Peripheral artery disease (PAD), for example, can cause leg fatigue, aching, cramping, and weakness during activity because narrowed arteries cannot deliver enough blood to working muscles. Yet, many people with PAD fail to notice early symptoms early.
Nader Chadda, MD, FACC, FSCAI, our vascular specialist at Advanced Heart and Vascular Associates, and our team evaluate symptoms that may point to problems with circulation and help identify the underlying cause. Recognizing the less obvious warning signs helps to protect your mobility and your cardiovascular health.
Leg fatigue when walking or climbing stairs is something to pay attention to, especially if it improves after you stop and rest. This pattern, known as intermittent claudication, can occur when narrowed leg arteries restrict blood flow during physical activity.
You may experience heaviness, aching, cramping, weakness, or pain in your calves, thighs, hips, or feet. If you find yourself walking shorter distances than you used to because your legs feel uncomfortable or exhausted, mention it to Dr. Chadda.
Blood circulation helps maintain the temperature of your extremities. If one foot or lower leg feels colder than the other and is accompanied by other symptoms of circulatory problems, it can point to reduced blood flow.
Circulation problems can cause changes that are easy to overlook. Your feet or toes may start to look pale, bluish, or discolored. Reduced blood flow can also affect hair and nail growth. Toenails may grow more slowly, or you may notice less hair on your lower legs and feet. If these changes happen along with other symptoms, it’s time to get an evaluation.
Poor wound healing isn’t something to ignore, as it’s a common complication of conditions that impact blood flow, such as PAD. A cut, blister, or sore on your foot should typically improve with appropriate care. When wounds on the toes, feet, ankles, or legs heal unusually slowly or fail to heal, inadequate blood flow may be contributing.
Reduced circulation can make it harder for tissues to receive the oxygen and nutrients necessary for healing and can increase the risk of infection and more serious complications.
Don’t wait for a wound to get infected before having it evaluated. It’s even more vital that you seek medical care if you have diabetes or other vascular risk factors.
PAD-related discomfort can happen without physical exertion. As arterial disease advances, it’s common to develop pain in the feet or legs while resting, including pain that disrupts sleep. Leg pain at rest can signal more severe impairment of blood flow and requires prompt medical evaluation.
Advanced Heart and Vascular Associates performs comprehensive vascular evaluations, which may include diagnostic circulation testing, such as an ankle-brachial index (ABI). This test compares the blood pressure in your ankle to that taken using your arm. Our team may recommend additional targeted testing based on your specific symptoms and initial findings.
Don’t write off heavy, tired, or painful legs as a normal part of getting older. If your legs feel increasingly heavy, tired, or different from how they used to, come see us at Advanced Heart and Vascular Associates. Call or message our Brooksville or Hudson, Florida, office today to schedule your evaluation.
