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Leg
pain?
BE SURE TO GET
IT CHECKED OUT
WHEN A SHORT WALK
to the
mailbox becomes a painful exercise, it
could signal something called peripheral
arterial disease (PAD).
PAD happens when leg arteries become
clogged with fatty deposits that limit or
block blood flow. If you have PAD, you
probably have blocked arteries in other
areas of your body as well.
“PAD can affect many different arteries
in your body, including the neck, kidneys,
stomach, arms, legs and feet,” says Enrique
Moreno, MD, RPVI, a vascular surgeon at
Faith Regional CardioVascular Institute.
“When PAD affects the arteries in your legs,
it may cause pain when exercising. In more
severe cases, when left untreated, it can lead
to gangrene and amputation of the limbs.”
One of the most important things you
need to know about PAD is this: It’s a
risk factor for heart attack and stroke that
shouldn’t be ignored.
What it feels like
Common symptoms of PAD include fatigue,
heaviness, and pain and cramping in the
leg muscles when walking. These symptoms
can often be temporarily relieved with rest.
4 FAITH REGIONAL
HEALTH SERVICES