What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Peripheral Arterial Disease?

At least half of the people who have peripheral arterial disease (PAD) don't have any signs or symptoms of the disease.

People who do have signs or symptoms may have pain when walking or climbing stairs, which may be relieved after resting. This pain is called intermittent claudication (klaw-de-KA-shen). Blood brings oxygen to the muscles, but during exercise, muscles need more blood flow. If there is a blockage in the blood vessels, muscles won't get enough blood. If a person has intermittent claudication and exercises while in pain, his or her muscles may be harmed. When resting, the muscles require less blood flow and the pain goes away. Claudication is more likely in people who also have atherosclerosis in other arteries, such as the heart and brain. About 10 percent of people with PAD have intermittent claudication.

Other signs and symptoms of PAD include:

• Pain, numbness, aching, and heaviness in the muscles
• Cramping in the legs, thighs, calves, and feet
• A weak or absent pulse in the legs or feet
• Sores or wounds on toes, feet, or legs that heal slowly, poorly, or not at all
• Color changes in skin, paleness, or blueness (called cyanosis)
• A decreased temperature in one leg compared to the other leg
• Poor nail growth and decreased hair growth on toes and legs
• Erectile dysfunction, especially among people with diabetes