At early stages of peripheral arterial disease the most common symptom is intermittent claudication, muscle cramping, painful aching and weakness at exercise. This signifies insufficient blood flow to meet the demands of exercise. As the diseases progresses it becomes more and more difficult to walk without pain, and pain can prevent sleep. A typical sign is the worsening of symptoms when the limb is elevated. Severe arterial stenosis may lead to an insufficient blood flow at rest, resulting in limb— threatening ischemia. If the symptoms-burning pain, ulceration or peripheral neuropathy in toes or the front of the foot— are ignored, it can progress to gangrene requiring an amputation.
Someone with peripheral arterial disease may have:
