Leg Pain & Numbness: Beacon Health System Explains Peripheral Artery Disease Signs and Risks

When a walk around the neighborhood, a trip through the grocery store or a day spent on your feet becomes more difficult because of leg pain, your body may be trying to tell you something. One possible cause is peripheral artery disease.

Peripheral artery disease occurs when fats, cholesterol and other substances build up in the arteries, causing them to narrow and reducing blood flow. As circulation decreases, everyday activities such as walking can become more difficult.

According to Dr. Mark Rummel, a vascular surgeon with Beacon Advanced Vascular Surgery Kalamazoo, patients with peripheral artery disease often notice a gradual decline in how far they can walk before they need to stop and rest.

"Patients often notice that they're not able to walk a block or two, and then it gets progressively worse," Dr. Rummel explained. "Most patients get discomfort, especially in the calves, thighs or buttocks, that leads to their inability to walk."

Other signs of peripheral artery disease may include muscle pain or cramping in the legs, coldness in the lower leg or foot, leg numbness or weakness or a weak pulse in the legs or feet.

Several factors can increase the risk of developing peripheral artery disease, including smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and a family history of heart disease, stroke or vascular disease.

When it comes to reducing risk, Dr. Rummel points to one factor that stands above the rest.

"Probably one of the biggest, easiest controllable risk factors for peripheral artery disease is smoking," he said. "If you smoke, quit smoking."

In addition to avoiding tobacco, staying active, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet, managing blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes, getting adequate sleep and controlling stress can all help support vascular health.

If leg pain or cramping is limiting your ability to walk, don't ignore it. Talk with your doctor. It could be a sign of a circulation problem that's affecting more than just your daily routine.

To learn more about vascular care services, visit BeaconHealthSystem.org.