Peripheral Artery Disease - Foot Pain That Can Kill You

When we think of foot pain, we often consider an injury. There may be a tendon or ligament that becomes inflamed, which is the case in heel pain and Achilles tendon injuries. Sometimes pain is due to trauma that leads to a foot fracture or sprain. Other times pain can be for neither of these reasons. And it is in those cases where we have to be concerned about Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD).

PAD is when there is a restriction of blood flow into the lower extremity. Because your blood carries oxygen to the soft tissue in your legs, any restriction of blood flow to that area will deprive the tissues of the oxygen they need to move.

At the same time, toxins (they are a byproduct of physiology) can remain behind in the tissues, instead of being transported away by good blood flow. The result? That oxygen deprivation causes the tissues to scream out in pain, especially when you attempt movement. 

So, who should worry about PAD? And how can you diagnose and treat this condition? Here's what you need to know. 

Key Takeaways

• Pain that appears with activity and improves with rest is an early symptom of Peripheral Artery Disease
• Many patients believe that this symptom is associated with their movement, delaying PAD diagnosis
• The non-invasive SMART ABI test can diagnose PAD in 3 minutes, allowing for treatment and saving limbs and life. It is available in our Houston podiatry practice 

Risk Factors for PAD

Several factors increase your risk for developing PAD. Everyone over age 50 is at a higher risk for developing this disease. But that risk is increased if you are a smoker, have diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. African Americans are at greater risk of developing PAD. You are also at greater risk if you have had, or have a family history of, heart disease, a heart attack, or a stroke.

The Trouble with Diagnosing Peripheral Arterial Disease

Many times, those suffering from PAD do not realize that their circulation is a problem. Instead, they think that their leg or foot pain, even when it appears after walking a few blocks, is the result of too much activity.

You see, one of the main characteristics of PAD pain is that it goes away with rest, but returns after walking--even for a short while. This condition, known as intermittent claudication, is often an early warning sign of PAD. However, if left untreated, PAD will progress. Then, as the circulation worsens, the pain can occur when you are not walking. In fact, the pain can wake you up at night. And it will not improve until you stand, allowing gravity to help the blood get down the lower extremity.

Know Your Risk, Get Screened for PAD

Above, we reviewed the risk factors for peripheral arterial disease. We also noted that PAD often goes undiagnosed until the disease has progressed dramatically. That's why we recommend PAD screenings for those with one or more disease risk factors. Our foot doctor in Houston feels that it is vitally important to identify PAD as early as possible. Left untreated, PAD can cause gangrene, which leads to amputation. PAD also dramatically increases the risk of heart disease and stroke as well.

Luckily, the screening process for PAD is a simple one, so there's no reason to avoid it. Our Houston podiatry office uses a system called Smart ABI to identify PAD. Smart ABI is a non-invasive, 3-minute evaluation done in our office to diagnose Peripheral Artery Disease. A series of pressures are taken at different levels of the leg and compared to the blood pressure in the arms. It is evaluated by Dr. Andrew Schneider to provide an accurate diagnosis. If treatment is recommended, the report will be sent to your cardiologist, or you will be given a referral to a circulation specialist.

Early detection is crucial for preventing disease progression, and associated complications. That's why we are here to help you diagnose PAD before it steals your health, limbs or life. We are committed to ensuring that your feet last a lifetime. Peripheral Artery Disease is a silent killer. Don't let PAD put your life at risk. Contact our Houston office to schedule a screening for PAD.