Symptoms of Peripheral Arterial Disease

Claudication is one of the symptoms of peripheral arterial disease.  Claudication is a term used to describe the discomfort in the leg muscles that occurs when walking. The discomfort most often is described as a cramp, but it may also be described as a burning sensation, an ache, or a feeling of heaviness in the leg. A common place to feel discomfort is in the calf muscle, though it may also occur in the thigh or buttock.

Typically, a person with claudication will only be able to walk a short distance before the discomfort becomes so severe they must stop and rest. Having rested until the pain is gone, they may then walk exactly the same distance again before having to stop and rest. The distance a person is able to walk varies with the severity of the blockages. Most people with claudication do not experience leg discomfort when they are at rest.

Do not ignore your leg pain! PAD often goes undiagnosed. This can be dangerous because PAD can lead to painful symptoms or the loss of a leg or foot.  The severity of the disease and length of time it goes untreated can make a big difference in your treatment and recovery. If you think you may have a problem, make an appointment to see a vascular specialist. Remember, atherosclerosis can occur in any of your arteries. If you are having symptoms in your legs, it is possible that arteries in your heart or neck could also be narrowing, setting you up for a possible heart attack or stroke.