Pain in Leg Could Be Angina
October 28, 2009 by Peggy Rowland
Filed under Women's Health
If you have leg pain during exercise, it’s time to take notice.
Peripheral artery disease – PAD – results from narrowing of the arteries supplying blood to your legs. PAD is dangerous since it could lead to complications like heart disease, stroke or (yikes!) lower limb amputation.
None of that sounds like much fun. The good news is that screening for the disease is simple. Doctors compare the blood pressure in the feet or leg to that of the arm. If an abnormal ratio is found, additional tests like an ultrasound or MRI may be performed.
“People don’t recognize that leg cramps while walking may be due to circulation problems that put them at risk for heart disease and stroke,” said Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada researcher Dr. Ross Tsuyuki, speaking to the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress 2009.
Researchers caution that PAD contributes to thousands of deaths each year, and the disease is under-diagnosed. People over age 40 or anyone with symptoms should be tested. Though some people with PAD may have no symptoms, there are signs to look for:
- Leg pain during exercise
- Open sores that don’t heal
- Feeling of coldness or numbness in one or both legs
- Pain in the toes at night
Risk factors for PAD include smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and heart disease or stroke. According to the American Heart Association, PAD affects around 8 million Americans.
Do you experience unexplained leg pain with walking?
(Image via flickr/misserion)
