What is PAD and Why Should You Care ?
Imagine enjoying a walk around your neighborhood in Sarasota, but nagging leg pain makes you stop often. You might shrug it off as “just getting older,” but it could be something more. Peripheral Arterial Disease – commonly called PAD – might sound like a mouthful, but it simply means poor circulation in the arteries of your legs (and sometimes arms). Many people haven't heard of PAD, yet it's more common than you’d think. PAD affects millions of Americans, especially those over 60, even right here in Florida. So what exactly is PAD, and why is it so important to know about? Let’s break it down in clear terms.
What Is Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)?
PAD is a condition where the arteries that carry blood to your legs become narrowed or blocked. Arteries are like highways for blood, delivering oxygen and nutrients to your muscles. In PAD, these highways develop traffic jams – usually due to a sticky substance called plaque (made of cholesterol and fats) building up on the artery walls. This plaque buildup (a process known as atherosclerosis) makes it harder for blood to flow through. Imagine a pipe getting clogged; eventually, water only trickles through. Similarly, with PAD, blood flow to your leg muscles is reduced.
When your leg muscles don't get enough blood, you may start noticing symptoms like leg cramps, pain, or tiredness when you walk. Often, this pain goes away when you rest – a classic sign of PAD called claudication. Some people feel numbness or weakness in the legs. Others might notice cold feet, slow-healing sores on the toes or feet, or even shiny skin and hair loss on their legs. However, not everyone has symptoms in the early stages. PAD can sneak up on you.
Why do some people get PAD? There are a few common risk factors:
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Smoking: Tobacco damages your blood vessels and greatly increases PAD risk.
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Diabetes: High blood sugar can harm arteries and speed up plaque buildup.
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High Blood Pressure and Cholesterol: Both can contribute to artery damage and plaques.
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Age over 60: PAD is more common as we age (though it can start earlier, especially if other risk factors are present).
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Family History of Vascular Disease: Genetics can play a role too.
Having these risk factors doesn't mean you'll definitely get PAD, but it raises the chances. In our area of Sarasota and Venice, we see a lot of patients with some of these risks – for instance, longtime smokers or individuals with diabetes – who develop PAD. Both men and women can have PAD, and it affects people of all races, though it’s particularly prevalent among older adults.
One tricky thing about PAD is that people often mistake it for “just aging” or arthritis. It’s not uncommon for someone to assume their leg pain is due to getting older or being out of shape. Unfortunately, that means PAD can go undiagnosed for a long time. In fact, PAD is underdiagnosed nationwide – an estimated 6.5 million Americans over age 40 have PAD, many without realizing it. That’s why awareness is so important.
Why Should You Care About PAD?
You might be thinking, “Alright, PAD causes leg pain. But why should I be so concerned about it?” The short answer: Because PAD is not just about your legs. It’s a warning sign about your overall health that you should not ignore.
First, PAD can really affect your quality of life. If walking to the park or around your Port Charlotte home brings on cramping pain, you’ll likely start avoiding activities you enjoy. Untreated PAD tends to get worse over time – meaning what starts as an annoyance could eventually make even a short walk to the mailbox painful. No one wants to give up their active lifestyle in our beautiful Florida weather because of leg pain.
More importantly, PAD is like a red flag for other health issues. The plaque that clogs leg arteries can also clog arteries in your heart and brain. That means if you have PAD, you're also at higher risk for a heart attack or stroke if the underlying artery disease isn’t addressed. Doctors consider PAD to be a form of cardiovascular disease, just like heart disease. In fact, one study found that about 1 in 5 people with untreated PAD will have a heart attack, stroke, or even die within five years. That’s a startling statistic, and it underscores that PAD can be life-threatening if we ignore it.
PAD can also lead to serious limb problems. Poor circulation in the legs means cuts or sores on your feet might not heal properly. In severe PAD, people can develop non-healing wounds or gangrene (tissue death) because the tissues aren’t getting enough blood. Left untreated, PAD can even lead to limb amputation in the worst cases. While that is a worst-case scenario, it’s something we absolutely want to prevent.
The good news is, PAD is treatable and often manageable, especially when caught early. Treatments can help improve blood flow and reduce symptoms, so you can keep doing the things you love. Even simple steps like exercise, a healthier diet, and medications can make a big difference (more on those in another article). Many people with PAD continue to lead full, active lives by taking the right precautions and treatments. So, knowing about PAD is the first step to taking charge of it.
Bottom line: You should care about PAD because it can impact your mobility and serves as a warning for your heart health. Being proactive about PAD can save you from pain and serious health issues down the road. If you have risk factors or leg symptoms, don’t dismiss them as “just aging.” It’s worth getting checked out.
Remember, knowledge is power. By understanding PAD, you’re already taking a positive step toward staying healthy.