Left untreated, PAD can lead to amputation
Check your feet and legs
As you get older, you might notice changes to the look and feel of your skin and think these changes are a normal part of the aging process. But these changes could be a symptom of peripheral artery diseasePeripheral artery disease (PAD) is a disease in which plaque builds up in the arteries that carry blood to your head, organs, and limbs. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, fibrous tissue, and other substances in the blood. (PADPeripheral Artery Disease, a potentially life threatening disease where plaque, like calcium, builds up along blood vessel walls, narrowing the arteries and reducing blood flow to the legs and feet.). Talk to a health care professional to see if you are at risk.
When the blood flow to your legs, feet and toes is restricted – as it is with PAD – the skin in these areas can’t get enough nutrients. You may notice your skin feels drier than normal and is an unusual color. Parts of your skin could appear to be redder when you’re sitting or standing. Or your skin might have an unhealthy paleness when your leg is elevated.
What are the changes?
Changes due to PAD can include thicker toenails and loss of hair on your leg, feet or toes. Changes like this could signal that you might have PAD or critical limb ischemiaAlso potentially known as CLI, the most severe and deadly form of peripheral artery disease. (CLI),20 the worst form of PAD. CLI is associated with significant risk for amputationTo surgically remove all or part of a limb (leg, foot or toe) and could put your life at risk.4
When blood flow to your legs, feet and toes is restricted, the skin in these areas can’t get enough nutrients.
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Stop ignoring the signs. Talk to a PAD specialist. Take control of your health.