00:09If your legs start hurting you when you walk and the pain gets better when you stop and rest,
00:16don't automatically blame your niece or old age. It could actually be a warning sign that the arteries
00:23supplying blood to your legs are narrowed or blocked. Tonight on House Call we're discussing
00:30peripheral arterial disease or PAD and the warning signs that you need to look out for.
00:36So what is PAD? Peripheral arterial disease occurs when fatty deposits or plaque build up in the
00:44arteries, most commonly the ones supplying the legs. It's essentially the same process as
00:51arterial sclerosis that occurs in the arteries supplying the heart and the brain. Here are the
00:56signs you need to look out for. 1. Leg pain when you walk
01:01One of the most classic signs is aching, cramping or heavy feeling in your calf, thigh or buttocks
01:09when you walk or exercise and improves when you rest and stop. This is known as intermittent
01:16claudication. 2. One foot is colder than the other. Reduced blood flow can cause one foot
01:24or lower leg to feel noticeably colder than the other. 3. Changes in the skin. You may notice your
01:32skin becoming unusually pale, blue or shinier. You may also notice reduced hair growth and slower growing
01:41toenails. 4. Wounds that aren't healing. A cut or sore on your toes, foot or legs that are taking
01:49unusually long to heal can be an important warning sign of poor circulation. 5. Pain when you're resting.
01:59As PAD becomes more severe, pain may occur when you are no longer resting. This may indicate
02:07significant reduced blood flow and requires immediate medical attention. You are at higher risk if you
02:15have high cholesterol, if you have uncontrolled diabetes, if you have uncontrolled high blood
02:21pressure, if you are a smoker or if you have a history of cardiovascular disease.
02:285. Peripheral arterial disease is not just about your legs. Having plaque in the arteries of your legs
02:34can be a significant sign of heartless sclerosis or plaque buildup in other parts of your body. This
02:41means that people with peripheral arterial disease are at an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
02:47So if you're repeatedly getting light pain when you walk that disappears when you rest,
02:52don't assume it's arthritis or you're getting older. Speak with your doctor. A simple examination or
02:59test such as an ankle brachial index can determine if it is peripheral arterial disease. It's Dr. Mariana
03:07Brown for TV6 Health School.
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