Left untreated, PAD can lead to amputation

Leg pain is not a normal sign of aging

You shouldn’t have to cope with painful, heavy legs as a normal part of getting older. Don’t shrug it off as something you’ll just have to deal with. Talk with a doctor to see if your leg pain is a sign of a larger health problem, such as 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.).

Unexplained pain or a feeling of heaviness in your legs could be caused by narrowed, hardened arteriesArteries are blood vessels that carry blood to your heart and other parts of your body. from PAD. It may mean you have limited blood flow to your legs and feet. In the worst form of PAD, called critical limb ischemiaAlso potentially known as CLI, the most severe and deadly form of peripheral artery disease. (CLI), the obstructed blood flow is so considerable and widespread that the pain can be intolerable.²⁰

Painful, heavy legs are a symptom of PAD, but only a health care professional can diagnose you with the disease. Download our checklist to help guide the conversation about your treatment options.

Many CLI patients are at significant risk for amputationTo surgically remove all or part of a limb (leg, foot or toe) if they don’t seek treatment.

Talk to Your Doctor

Only a health care professional can diagnose you with PAD. Our Symptom Quiz can help guide the conversation about your treatment options.

Take the Symptom Quiz

Click below to take the interactive Symptom Quiz. You can print your answers out and take them with you to a doctor to help guide your conversation about PAD.