Arterial Disease of the Leg (Peripheral Arterial Disease)

In the same way that atherosclerosis narrows the carotid arteries or arteries of the heart, the flow of blood to your legs may also be affected. In heart disease, chest pain develops because the muscles of the heart are not getting enough blood to meet the increased requirements associated with exercise. Similarly, in peripheral arterial disease, the muscles of the buttocks, thighs and calf increase their need for oxygen during exercise. If the main arteries in the abdomen, pelvis or leg are narrowed or blocked, not enough blood gets through. The first notable sign of disease is calf pain (claudication) that develops commonly when walking up hills and eases with rest but reappears when walking recommences. In severe cases pain is present at rest and can be associated with tissue damage (gangrene). Ultrasound is critical in determining and quantifying the diagnosis as it can accurately identify areas of narrowing or occlusion. It is also used to assess treatments that include balloon angioplasty, stenting or bypass procedures.