The arteries in your legs and feet can get blocked, just like the arteries in your heart. When this happens, less blood flows to your legs. This is called peripheral artery disease (PAD). If your leg arteries are badly blocked, you may develop foot pain while resting or a sore that won't heal.
A blood clot in a leg vein may cause pain, warmth and tenderness in the affected area. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) forms in one or more of the deep veins in the body, usually in the legs. Deep vein thrombosis can cause leg pain or swelling. Sometimes there are no noticeable symptoms.
A catheter, a tube-like device tipped with a tiny, sometimes drug-coated, deflated balloon, is threaded through the artery to the correct location, where it inflates to open the blockage. This is often followed by the placement of a stent—a small, self-expanding mesh tube that stays in place to keep the artery open.
Yes. Some studies have shown that you can reverse peripheral vascular disease symptoms with exercise and control of cholesterol and blood pressure. With early diagnosis, lifestyle changes and treatment, you can stop PAD from getting worse.
This risk means that one in five people with PAD, if left undiagnosed and untreated, will suffer a heart attack, stroke, or death within five years. Untreated PAD can have other serious consequences, including leg muscle pain, discomfort during exercise, and loss of mobility and independence.
If you are the one out of 20 Americans over the age of 50 who have PAD (peripheral artery disease), your doctor has probably already told you that if left untreated, your PAD puts you at greater risk of heart attack and stroke.
The Pillow Test
The test: Gather a few pillows or cushions and use them to prop up both legs so they're at a 45-degree angle while you lie on your back. As you're resting, notice if your legs become paler or retain their original color throughout the span of a minute.
Segmental Doppler pressure testing checks different parts of your legs for narrowed or blocked arteries. This method is similar to ABI testing but uses blood pressure cuffs placed at thigh, calf, and ankle levels.
The blockage usually happens because of narrowed and hardened arteries (atherosclerosis). This is caused by plaque build-up inside the arteries. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances in the blood.
While exercise won't cure varicose veins, it can help improve your symptoms and reduce your risk of developing more. Walking, biking and swimming are all great low-impact exercises that are easy on the joints and help circulation in varicose veins.
Common vascular problems happen because plaque (made of fat and cholesterol) slows down or blocks blood flow inside your arteries or veins. Lifestyle changes often help, but some people need medication or surgery.
Rarely, when a stent is being inserted, dangerous bleeding may happen and the stent may come apart. Both procedures can, in rare cases, cause a partly blocked artery to close up completely. Then you may need an emergency procedure. If the procedure cannot be done right away, your leg may have to be amputated.
A health care provider injects the varicose veins with a solution or foam that scars and closes those veins. In a few weeks, treated varicose veins should fade. The same vein might need to be injected more than once. Sclerotherapy doesn't require anesthesia and can be done in a health care provider's office.
A variety of drugs are available that improve blood flow or prevent blood clotting or actually dissolve a blood clot. Interventional minimally invasive procedures such as balloon angioplasty, stenting or the removal of artery plaque buildup. Bypass surgery if the blockage involves most of the blood vessel.
Symptoms and Causes
Muscles that hurt or feel weak when you walk. A “pins and needles” sensation on your skin. Pale or blue skin color. Cold fingers or toes.
People with poor circulation may notice their feet feel cold or numb. They may also notice discoloration. The feet may turn red, blue, purple, or white. These symptoms may worsen in certain situations, such as when a person sits still for long periods of time or goes outside in cold weather.
Vascular pain often feels like an uncomfortable heaviness or throbbing sensation. It can also feel like an aching sensation. It usually affects your legs and can be worse with walking or exerting yourself.
The femoral artery is the major blood vessel supplying blood to your legs. It's in your upper thigh, right near your groin. The artery is a common access point for minimally invasive, catheter-based procedures because of its large diameter.
More than 90% of leg bypass surgeries are immediately successfulLink opens in a new window, and 60-70% will last five years or more. Between a quarter and a third of leg bypass surgery patients will require further procedures on their grafts.
A completely blocked coronary artery will cause a heart attack. The classic signs and symptoms of a heart attack include crushing chest pain or pressure, shoulder or arm pain, shortness of breath, and sweating.
Staying hydrated helps circulation by improving blood flow throughout the body. Warm water is particularly beneficial as it encourages the veins to expand, thus allowing more room for blood to flow.