Are Your Legs Trying to Tell You Something? Recognizing Early Signs of PAD

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Many people mistake the symptoms of poor circulation for normal aging or muscle fatigue. But for millions of adults, these can be early signs of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), a condition where narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the legs. Recognizing the warning signs early can prevent serious complications and help you stay active and healthy.

Common Signs and Symptoms

🔹 Leg pain or cramping while walking that improves when you rest
🔹 Numbness weakness or tingling in your legs or feet
🔹 Coldness in one lower leg or foot compared to the other
🔹 Sores on your toes feet or legs that heal slowly
🔹 Shiny skin or loss of hair on the legs
🔹 Weak or absent pulse in your feet

Why It Matters

If PAD is not treated, it can lead to serious problems such as slow healing wounds, infections, and even amputation in severe cases. It is also connected to heart disease and stroke. Catching it early protects both your circulation and your overall health.

How PAD Is Diagnosed and Treated

At San Francisco Vein and Vascular Institute, our vascular specialists use noninvasive vascular imaging and arterial ultrasound to detect blockages quickly and accurately.
Treatment options depend on your condition and may include:

  • Lifestyle changes and exercise therapy

  • Medications that improve blood flow

  • Minimally invasive procedures such as angioplasty or stent placement to restore circulation

Our goal is to use the safest and most effective treatments to reduce pain and improve your quality of life.

When to Seek Help

If you notice leg pain while walking, cold or discolored feet, or wounds that are slow to heal, it is important to talk to your doctor or contact our vascular team for an evaluation. Getting checked early can prevent complications and help you maintain healthy legs for years to come.

For more information on Peripheral Artery Disease and heart health, visit the American Heart Association’s PAD resource page.

Learn more about how San Francisco Vein & Vascular Institute diagnoses and treats Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) using minimally invasive treatments that restore circulation and reduce leg pain.