Symptoms Grid - Black American - Take a Stand Against Amputation

Symptoms Grid – Black American

Symptoms of PAD

Cold toes or feet

If blood is not easily reaching your toes and feet, those areas will experience a drop in temperature.

One of the first signs of the worst form of 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., called critical limb ischemiaAlso potentially known as CLI, the most severe and deadly form of peripheral artery disease. (CLI), can be a nonhealing wound or ulcerUlcers (or wounds) can occur when there is poor blood flow in your legs or feet. Poor blood flow causes cells to die and damages tissue, often on the feet and legs. These types of wounds can be slow-healing..

Pain while walking

Aches and pains from PAD are the result of narrowed, hardened arteriesArteries are blood vessels that carry blood to your heart and other parts of your body. in the legs, limiting blood flow to your legs and feet.

Nighttime leg pain

With CLI, the obstructed blood flow is so considerable and widespread that nighttime pain attacks in your legs or feet can last minutes to hours long.

Painful, heavy legs

You shouldn’t have to cope with painful, heavy legs as a normal part of getting older.

Numbness or burning sensations

If you notice a strange tingling in your foot, or you feel like your entire leg is on fire, pay attention to what your body is telling you and see a health care professional.

Dry, discolored skin

You may notice your skin feels drier than normal, and is an unusual color. Parts of your skin could appear to be more red when you’re sitting or standing. Or, your skin might have an unhealthy paleness when your leg is elevated.

Gangrene or black tissue

GangreneGangrene is dead tissue, caused by poor blood flow to part of your body. Gangrene can occur on the skin or in muscles or organs. Peripheral artery disease is a known cause of gangrene. can cause your skin to dry or shrivel, and the flesh to turn colors — brown to purple to black — and eventually fall off.

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