Peripheral artery disease

Peripheral artery disease

Peripheral artery disease narrows the arteries supplying the legs, and it is both a mobility problem and a warning sign for heart attack and stroke. Diagnosing it early changes both the leg outcome and the cardiovascular one.

What's Involved

• Ankle-brachial index — A simple, non-invasive pressure comparison between arm and ankle.
• Arterial duplex — Ultrasound identifying where and how severely the arteries are narrowed.
• Treatment — Risk factor management, supervised exercise, and angioplasty or stenting where indicated.

When to Come In

• Calf pain when walking — Cramping that comes on with distance and stops with rest.
• Cold or discoloured feet — One foot noticeably cooler or paler than the other.
• A non-healing foot wound — Poor blood supply is the usual reason a foot ulcer will not close.

This content is for general information only and isn't medical advice. Talk with a qualified provider about your own situation. If you have a medical emergency, call 911.