You've noticed your legs ache during your evening walks around Stewart Park. At first, you blamed it on age or needing better shoes. But the cramping happens at the same distance every time, and lately, a small cut on your ankle has been slow to heal. These aren't just minor inconveniences—they could be your body signaling that your arteries aren't delivering enough blood to your legs and feet.
At Wilks Advanced Foot Care in Roseburg, Dr. Jason Wilks and the team regularly help patients recognize the early warning signs of peripheral artery disease (PAD), a circulatory condition that affects millions of Americans. When caught early, PAD can be managed effectively, protecting your mobility and preventing serious complications. Understanding what to watch for gives you the power to take action before small problems become big ones.
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What Is Peripheral Artery Disease?
PAD occurs when plaque builds up inside the arteries that carry blood to your legs and feet. This buildup—made of cholesterol, fat, and other substances—narrows the arteries and restricts blood flow. Your muscles and tissues need oxygen-rich blood to function properly, heal injuries, and stay healthy. When blood flow decreases, even simple activities like walking become painful.
According to the American Heart Association, PAD affects approximately 8–12 million people in the U.S., particularly those over age 50. The condition often develops silently, with symptoms appearing gradually as arteries become more restricted. Because foot and leg discomfort often seems unrelated to heart health, many people don't realize they're dealing with a vascular problem until the disease has progressed.
Have You Noticed These Peripheral Artery Disease Symptoms?
Signs of PAD vary from person to person, but certain warning signs appear frequently. The American Podiatric Medical Association identifies several key indicators that deserve medical attention:
- Claudication. This hallmark symptom causes pain, cramping, or tiredness in your leg muscles during walking or climbing stairs. The discomfort typically stops when you rest for a few minutes, then returns when you resume activity. The pain occurs because your muscles aren't receiving adequate blood flow during exertion.
- Non-healing wounds. Cuts, sores, or ulcers on your feet or legs that heal slowly or not at all signal poor circulation. Without sufficient blood flow, your body struggles to deliver the nutrients and oxygen needed for foot wound healing.
- Temperature changes. One foot feeling noticeably colder than the other indicates reduced blood flow. You might also notice color changes, too, such as feet that appear pale, bluish, or reddish when elevated or hanging down.
- Shiny skin and hair loss. Poor circulation causes skin on your lower legs and feet to become thin, shiny, or tight, and reduces hair growth.
- Weak or absent pulses. Reduced or missing pulses in your feet and legs—something Dr. Wilks checks during routine exams—can indicate arterial blockages.
What Are PAD Risk Factors?
Your likelihood of developing peripheral artery disease isn't random—specific health conditions and lifestyle factors create an environment where plaque accumulates more readily in your arteries. Understanding your personal risk profile helps you and your podiatrist develop a proactive screening and prevention strategy tailored to your situation.
For example, smoking damages arterial walls and accelerates plaque formation, making smokers four to five times more likely to develop PAD than non-smokers. The combination of diabetes and PAD proves particularly dangerous, too, as elevated blood sugar levels weaken blood vessels and impair the body's natural healing processes, turning minor foot wounds into serious medical emergencies. Here are some other significant PAD risk factors.
Age and Family History
Risk climbs substantially after age 50, with each passing decade increasing vulnerability. Having close relatives with heart disease, stroke, or PAD suggests genetic factors that affect your vascular health.
High Blood Pressure and Cholesterol
Hypertension forces your heart to work harder and damages arterial walls over time. Elevated cholesterol directly contributes to plaque deposits that narrow your arteries and restrict blood flow to your extremities.
Weight and Activity Level
Carrying excess weight strains your circulatory system and often accompanies other metabolic conditions that damage blood vessels. Physical inactivity allows cholesterol and fat to accumulate more readily while weakening your overall cardiovascular function.
Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney problems create chemical imbalances in your blood that promote arterial calcification and accelerate plaque buildup throughout your vascular system.
Solutions for PAD That We Offer at Wilks Advanced Foot Care
Don't let uncertainty about your circulation keep you from the activities you enjoy. If multiple risk factors apply to you, or you’ve noticed possible peripheral artery disease symptoms, our Douglas County podiatrist provides targeted screening and preventive care to identify problems before they become serious. Here’s Dr. Wilks’ approach to quality care:
- An accurate diagnosis. The ankle-brachial index (ABI) test takes just five minutes and painlessly measures blood flow to your legs and feet. This non-invasive procedure demonstrates clear answers about your arterial health.
- Personalized treatment plans. We create individualized management strategies that may include lifestyle modifications, targeted exercise programs to improve circulation, and specialized wound care for injuries that won't heal properly.
- Coordinated specialty care. When advanced treatment becomes necessary, we work closely with vascular specialists to ensure you receive comprehensive care that addresses all aspects of your condition.
- Ongoing monitoring. Regular foot health assessments catch circulation changes before they become critical, protecting your mobility and preventing serious complications.
Don't wait for symptoms to worsen or wounds to become infected—schedule a peripheral artery disease screening today. Early detection and proper management make all the difference in preserving your mobility and quality of life.