Peripheral artery disease (PAD) can sneak up on people. Even physicians miss the clues. My mother in law lost her leg because of untreated peripheral artery disease. Our nurse suspected one of our members had PAD, and recommended that he see his doctor. He had most of these symptoms. If you exhibit any of these symptoms, and your doctor does not test you further for PAD, please go for a second opinion.

• Painful cramping in your hip, thigh or calf muscles after certain activities, such as walking or climbing stairs (claudication)
• Leg numbness or weakness
• Coldness in your lower leg or foot, especially when compared with the other side
• Sores on your toes, feet or legs that won’t heal
• A change in the color of your legs
• Hair loss or slower hair growth on your feet and legs
• Slower growth of your toenails
• Shiny skin on your legs
• No pulse or a weak pulse in your legs or feet
• Erectile dysfunction in men

For more information, follow this link:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peripheral-artery-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20350557