Symptoms & Diagnosis

What are the symptoms?

PAD is often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed because symptoms of the disease may be dismissed as part of the normal aging process. Symptoms of PAD can include, but are not limited to, the following:

	Claudication: dull, cramping pain in the hips, thighs, calves or buttocks
	Numbness or tingling in the leg, foot or toes
	Changes in skin temperature: cold to the touch
	Changes in skin color: bluish or reddish coloration
	Impotence
	Sores or infections that do not heal
	Weakness in legs or arms

How is PAD Diagnosed?

Several tests can be performed to make a diagnosis, including:

Ankle brachial index (ABI): This is a simple, non-invasive test, which can be done in the doctor's office. It measures the ratio of blood pressure in the ankle to that in the arm. If the blood pressure at the ankle is lower than the pressure in your arm, you may have PAD.

Doppler Ultrasound: This test uses sound waves to measure blood flow in a vessel and can determine if there is a blockage.

Angiogram: This minimally invasive procedure involves injecting a dye into the arteries and reviewing the area by X-Ray. Typically, the physician can see the blockage on the angiogram images.

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