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Serious severity
· Cardiology
Peripheral Artery Disease
PAD · Blocked leg arteries
Cholesterol blocks arteries in the legs, causing pain on walking. PAD is a strong sign of widespread heart-artery disease too.
At a glance
- Prevalence
- Rises sharply after 60
- Typical age
- 60+ years
- Outlook
- Manageable, surgery if severe
- System
- Heart
Reviewed by a practising cardiology doctor
What causes it
Causes
- Smoking — the biggest single cause
- Diabetes, hypertension
- High cholesterol
- Family history
- Age over 60
How it feels
Symptoms & effects
- Cramping calf pain when walking (claudication)
- Cold or pale foot
- Slow-healing wounds on toes
- Numbness or weakness
- Gangrene in advanced cases
How it’s treated
Treatment & cure
- Quit smoking — non-negotiable
- Supervised exercise program
- Statin and antiplatelet therapy
- Angioplasty or bypass surgery
- Treat diabetes aggressively
Staying ahead
Prevention
- Walk daily despite mild pain
- Control LDL under 70 mg/dL
- Daily foot inspection if diabetic
- Manage blood pressure
- Annual ABI test after 65
Do’s
- Quit smoking on day one
- Walk until pain, rest, repeat
- Wear well-fitting shoes
- Treat any foot wound the same day
Don’ts
- Smoke even socially
- Walk barefoot
- Use heating pads on numb feet
- Ignore a non-healing toe ulcer
See a doctor immediately if
Symptoms are sudden or severe, getting worse despite home care, or interfering with sleep, work or daily life. Don’t self-diagnose from the internet — book a verified clinician below.
Top specialists
See all cardiology doctors Top 4 doctors for Peripheral Artery Disease
Ranked by patient rating, years of experience and review volume. All verified by MediConsult’s clinical team.
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2
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Disclaimer ·
This article is educational and reviewed by clinicians, but it cannot replace an in-person assessment.
Medication doses, prevention advice and treatment choices vary by person. Always confirm with a doctor before acting on anything here.