Peripheral Artery Disease

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) reduces blood flow to the legs and feet, which can cause pain, numbness or cramping during activity. If you think you might have circulation issues, take our PAD screening questionnaire or print the PDF version to take to your primary care provider to fill out and review together.

What is peripheral artery disease (PAD)?

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) happens when plaque builds up in the arteries that carry blood to your legs and feet. This buildup interrupts blood flow, which can cause pain, cramping or weakness — especially during physical activity.

PAD is a common condition among patients with a history of a heart attack and/or a stroke.

At St. Elizabeth Physicians, our Vascular Surgery specialists use advanced tests and evidence-based care to detect PAD early, slow disease progression and reduce complications.

What are the symptoms of peripheral artery disease?

Many people first notice PAD as leg pain when walking — a symptom called claudication. The pain may go away with rest but comes back when you move again. You might also experience numbness, weakness or notice that your legs feel cool to the touch. Sores that heal slowly or changes in skin color can also signal circulation problems.

PAD can develop gradually through different peripheral artery disease stages — from mild symptoms to more advanced cases that cause severe pain even at rest or lead to non-healing wounds.

In some cases, PAD affects the arms instead of the legs. You may notice cramping or fatigue in one arm during activity, numbness or tingling that improves with rest, or even wounds on the fingers that heal slowly.

Without treatment, PAD can make everyday movement harder. At St. Elizabeth, our team offers advanced care to help you stay active and prevent complications.

How is peripheral artery disease diagnosed?

If you have symptoms such as leg pain when walking, your doctor can check for PAD with quick, noninvasive tests.

The most common is the ankle-brachial index (ABI), which compares blood pressure in your arms and ankles to measure blood flow. Ultrasound and imaging studies may also help locate blockages and guide the development of the best treatment plan. Your care team will review the results with you and explain your options step by step.

Can peripheral artery disease be prevented?

You can’t always prevent PAD, but you can lower your risk. Certain health conditions and habits can raise your risk for PAD — especially smoking and diabetes. Both can damage blood vessels and limit circulation over time. High blood pressure and high cholesterol also increase your risk.

You can protect your arteries by managing blood sugar, staying active and eating foods that support a healthy heart. Quitting smoking is one of the most powerful steps you can take to improve blood flow and lower your risk for PAD, heart disease and stroke.

Our team offers support through diabetes management and the Freedom from Smoking program to help you make lasting changes.

Peripheral artery disease treatments

PAD treatment depends on how severe your symptoms are and your overall health. For many people, lifestyle changes — such as regular walking, a heart-healthy diet and quitting smoking — can improve circulation.

If you experience symptoms, your doctor may recommend medications to improve blood flow or reduce plaque buildup. In more advanced cases, your best option may be a minimally invasive intervention, such as angioplasty or stent placement, or a more invasive but potentially more durable option such as bypass surgery. These interventions can reopen narrowed arteries or reroute the blood flow to your leg and relieve pain.

Managing conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol play an important role in recovery from PAD.

At St. Elizabeth, our Vascular Surgery specialists coordinate care across every stage of peripheral artery disease. Together, they focus on improving circulation, reducing pain and protecting long-term heart and limb health.

When to see a doctor for peripheral artery disease

If you notice leg pain when walking, numbness, cool skin or slow-healing sores on your legs or feet, don’t ignore the signs. Diagnosis and treatment are right here.

These symptoms may seem small, but they can point to circulation problems that deserve attention. See a doctor early to prevent complications and help you stay active and independent.