PAD Awareness Month: Protecting Your Legs, Protecting Your Life

Every September, Peripheral Artery Disease Awareness Month brings focus to a condition that affects millions worldwide but often goes unnoticed Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD).

Globally, over 200 million people live with Peripheral Artery Disease, and studies show that nearly half remain undiagnosed. Many dismiss leg pain, cramps, or fatigue as “just aging,” when these could be early signs of poor circulation.

Left untreated, Peripheral Artery Disease doesn’t just limit mobility it can double the risk of heart attack and stroke, making early recognition and prevention critical.

Written by

Concept Medical

Published on

September 4, 2025

What is Peripheral Artery Disease?

Peripheral Artery Disease is a circulatory condition where plaque builds up inside the arteries, narrowing the passageway for blood flow. It most commonly affects the legs, leading to pain, heaviness, or numbness, especially during walking or physical activity.

But Peripheral Artery Disease is more than a leg problem. It’s a systemic warning sign. Research shows that 1 in 3 people with Peripheral Artery Disease also have coronary artery disease, highlighting the close link between PAD and overall heart health.

Recognizing the Signs

Peripheral Artery Disease often develops quietly, with subtle symptoms that are easy to overlook.

Common signs include:

Cramping or heaviness in the calves, thighs, or hips during activity
Numbness or coldness in the feet or toes
Wounds on the legs or feet that heal slowly
Fatigue or weakness after short walking distances

A major concern is underdiagnosis: studies reveal that up to 50% of people with Peripheral Artery Disease have no noticeable symptoms, which is why awareness is so important.

Who is at Risk?

Several health and lifestyle factors increase the likelihood of developing Peripheral Artery Disease, such as:

Smoking
Diabetes
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Family history of vascular disease

The impact is significant: 1 in 4 people over the age of 50 with diabetes or a history of consuming Tabacco may develop Peripheral Artery Disease. Knowing these risks allows individuals to act early and reduce complications.

Prevention: Small Steps, Big Difference

The encouraging news is that Peripheral Artery Disease can often be prevented, or its progression slowed, through proactive lifestyle choices.

Simple preventive steps include:

Walk regularly: Even 20 minutes a day can help improve circulation.
Quit smoking: Smoking increases Peripheral Artery Disease risk by up to four times.
Eat healthy: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains supports artery health.
Manage health conditions: Regularly monitor cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar.

These small, consistent actions build long-term protection for your arteries and overall vascular health.

Treatment Options for PAD

While lifestyle changes are important, medical treatment is often necessary to improve blood flow and reduce complications. The right approach depends on the severity of the condition:

Medications: To manage blood pressure, cholesterol, or blood sugar, and antiplatelet drugs to prevent clots.
Supervised Exercise Therapy: Structured walking programs can improve circulation and reduce leg pain.
Angioplasty and Stenting: A minimally invasive procedure where a small balloon is used to open narrowed arteries. In many cases, a stent (a tiny mesh tube) is placed to keep the artery open and maintain healthy blood flow.
Drug-Coated Balloons (DCB): An advanced therapy where the balloon used in angioplasty is coated with drugs such as sirolimus, which helps prevent the artery from narrowing again. This approach avoids permanent implants and has shown promising long-term outcomes in PAD treatment.
Surgical Options: In advanced cases, bypass surgery may be recommended to reroute blood flow around blocked arteries.

The goal of treatment is not only to relieve symptoms but also to prevent heart attack, stroke, or limb-related complications.

The Bigger Picture: Peripheral Artery Disease and Heart Health

Peripheral Artery Disease is not just a localized leg condition it reflects overall arterial health. Studies show that people with Peripheral Artery Disease are 2–6 times more likely to experience heart attack or stroke.

Research also indicates that Peripheral Artery Disease patients face a 45% higher risk of developing coronary artery disease, underscoring the urgency of early detection.

In other words, your legs can be the first to reveal hidden cardiovascular risks. Detecting Peripheral Artery Disease early means protecting not only your mobility but also your life.

Conclusion

Peripheral Artery Disease Awareness Month is a reminder to listen to your body. Leg pain, numbness, or fatigue should never be brushed aside as “normal aging.” With early detection, preventive care, and lifestyle changes, Peripheral Artery Disease can be managed and the risk of severe cardiovascular events can be reduced.

References

PMC: Asymptomatic Peripheral Arterial Disease Is Associated With More Adverse Lower Extremity Characteristics Than Intermittent Claudication – PMC

NCBI: Peripheral Arterial Disease – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf

Science Direct : Peripheral Artery Disease: A Comprehensive Updated Review – ScienceDirect