Peripheral arterial diseases involve plaque build-up in the very arteries that carry blood from your heart to your extremities. This build up can lead to a reduction in oxygen-rich blood from reaching the legs, leading to symptoms.
Peripheral arterial disease can lead to numbness, weakness and pain, specifically in the legs. There may be coldness in the lower leg or foot, more so on one side than the other. Hair loss on legs, slower toe nail growth and continual sores on lower extremities may also be present, along with possible erectile dysfunction. There may also be a noticeably weaker pulse in the legs or feet. Patients with these symptoms can be evaluated to assess their risks of peripheral arterial diseases.
