Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): A Common but Overlooked Cause of Leg Discomfort

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a serious cause of leg pain and discomfort that often goes undiagnosed, especially in people with cardiovascular risk factors. If you have ongoing leg pain or poor circulation in your legs, it's important to talk with a cardiologist or vascular specialist in New Jersey about appropriate testing. Cardiac Associates of North Jersey explains how PAD is a commonly overlooked cause of leg discomfort. Learn more today.

PAD is a vascular condition caused by atherosclerosis, a fatty plaque buildup that narrows or blocks arteries supplying blood to the legs and feet. When these arteries are narrowed, oxygen‑rich blood cannot reach your leg muscles and skin as easily, leading to pain, fatigue, and tissue damage over time.

PAD is part of the same disease process that causes heart attacks and strokes, so it’s closely linked to coronary artery disease and carotid artery disease. That overlap makes PAD an important condition for cardiology and vascular specialists to diagnose early and manage comprehensively.

The symptoms of PAD can vary significantly, so it's essential to stay alert to issues. They can include:

• Rest Pain – Patients frequently report persistent aching or burning in the toes or feet while sedentary, a sensation that often intensifies at night or when the limbs are elevated.
• Neurological and Muscular Changes – Ischemia can lead to localized numbness, tingling, or profound muscle weakness in the lower extremities, which may compromise overall balance and gait stability.
• Dermal and Temperature Disparity – Diagnostic signs include a noticeable temperature difference where one foot feels significantly colder than the other, often accompanied by skin that appears pale, bluish, or unnaturally shiny.
• Trophic Changes – Diminished blood flow often results in stunted or absent hair growth on the legs and feet, along with thickened or brittle toenails.
• Non-Healing Wounds – The development of arterial ulcers or sores on the lower limbs that exhibit delayed healing or become chronic is a critical warning sign of advanced vascular compromise.

PAD most often affects adults over age 50, especially those with a history of smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or kidney disease. A family history of heart or vascular disease and a sedentary lifestyle further increase risk. Because PAD shares risk factors with coronary artery disease, many people seen in cardiology practices in New Jersey are already in a high‑risk group. Identifying PAD early in these patients allows specialists to protect both leg circulation and overall cardiovascular health.

Vascular Testing in New Jersey

Noninvasive vascular testing is the key to making a PAD diagnosis and determining how severely blood flow is reduced. Common tests include an ankle‑brachial index (ABI), which compares blood pressure at the ankle and arm, and vascular ultrasound imaging to measure blood flow in leg arteries.

Cardiac Associates of North Jersey provide dedicated vascular testing services, including lower‑extremity arterial studies and advanced imaging when needed. These tests are quick, typically performed in an outpatient setting, and help your cardiovascular care team tailor treatment to your specific circulation problem.

Left untreated, PAD can progress from exertional leg pain to constant pain at rest, non‑healing wounds, and even tissue loss or amputation in severe cases. PAD also signals a higher risk for heart attack and stroke because it reflects widespread arterial disease. We work to diagnose PAD as early as possible to protect your vascular health.

The good news is that PAD is highly treatable, especially when diagnosed early. Lifestyle changes, supervised exercise therapy, medications, and when necessary, minimally invasive procedures to open blocked arteries can improve leg symptoms and protect long‑term vascular health.

In severe cases where conservative measures are insufficient, revascularization procedures like angioplasty, stenting, or bypass surgery may be necessary to restore adequate blood flow to the affected limbs.

Cardiac Associates of North Jersey provides customized internal medicine care, on-site vascular imaging, annual wellness visits, and minimally invasive procedures. Our team offers peace of mind that goes beyond simple in-office care. If you're suffering from leg pain as a symptom of PAD, we're here for you.

Cardiac Associates of North Jersey serves Oakland, Fairfield, and the surrounding communities. If you have ongoing leg discomfort, poor circulation in your legs, or any of the PAD symptoms described above, asking your New Jersey cardiology or vascular specialist about vascular testing is a vital next step. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

We accept Medicare and all major healthcare plans. In addition, we proudly collaborate with the Atlantic Accountable Care Organization (ACO) to ensure that your health comes first.