Peripheral arterial disease symptoms are the signs of illness in the peripheral arteries, and this illness may also be called peripheral vascular disease, or disease of the peripheral vasculature. In this article I will concentrate on the peripheral arterial disease symptoms present in illnesses that affect the legs, since the legs are the ones that show the most cases of peripheral arterial disease symptoms or occurrence.

Most commonly, illnesses of the peripheral arteries consist of the creation and development of some sort of layers within the blood vessels, and these additional layers seem like plaque. This plaque is produced from additional cholesterol, calcium as well as other elements contained or transported through the blood stream, and these elements, in time, start remaining on the inside of artery walls, which means that the arteries that supply blood to the legs may, of course, develop plaque as well. The occurrence of this plaque causes the peripheral arteries to become narrower, which damages to supply of oxygen and nutrients which, in turn, has an impact on the organs that are supposed to receive these elements.

When plaque starts forming, or when it is formed, the process is called atherosclerosis or calcification of the arteries – and this process usually occurs in the leg, coronary or carotid arteries. When the plaque strikes at the coronary arteries, the disease is called coronary atherosclerosis. The disease of atherosclerosis evolves in stages throughout the human life cycle. It is aided by high levels of cholesterol, by deficient blood pressure as well as by that arch enemy of health, called smoking.

The usual suspects in terms of peripheral arterial disease symptoms can include, but are not limited to, a great feeling of tense or painful calves, pain in the thighs or the lower part of the buttocks, which can occur during ordinary and routine activities such as walking or climbing steps. Usually the pain appears after the same amount of effort every time, in the initial phases, and it goes away once the effort is ceased.

But we must remember that sometimes the disease may not have any symptoms. Some of the latest studies show that only 3 out of 9 individuals show symptoms such as on and off claudication. Some of the patients do, indeed, claim pain in the legs, thighs or buttocks, but the phenomenon does not reach as far as to cause claudication. Other studies, focusing on different aspects of the illness, have shown that men are more vulnerable to claudication than women, namely men are more likely to see a development of on and off claudication.

Peripheral artery disease is also known as peripheral vascular disease. This topic focuses on peripheral arterial disease of the legs, which are the most commonly affected, as well as peripheral artery disease symptoms.

The most common cause of peripheral arterial disease is the appearance of a plaque inside the blood vessel. This plaque is made up of excess cholesterol, calcium and other substances in the stream of blood, which, in time, is deposited along the interior walls of all arteries, including those that supply the legs. Increased deposits of plaque results in narrowing the space through which oxygen and nutrients pass from the blood. Thus, there is an unsatisfactory blood flow to muscles and other tissues of the lower body.

This process of plaque formation – called atherosclerosis or arterial calcification – occurs usually in the body including the arteries of the legs, coronary arteries (coronary atherosclerosis) and carotid arteries. Atherosclerosis develops gradually throughout life. Cholesterol level, blood pressure and smoking contributed to increased atherosclerosis and peripheral arterial disease.

Very rarely, peripheral arterial disease can occur without contact with atherosclerosis, is caused by inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis) and old injuries that have damaged blood vessels. The most common peripheral artery disease symptoms include intermittent claudication, an overwhelming feeling of tension or pain in the calf, thigh or lower buttock during an activity, like walking. Pain is usually triggered at the same level of effort and goes away when the effort ceases.

However, there are asymptomatic individuals. Recent research indicates that only one in three people with peripheral arterial disease present intermittent claudication. Some patients have pain in the lower limbs but not going far enough to trigger claudication. Other studies indicate that women with peripheral arterial disease are less likely to develop intermittent claudication than men.

Other symptoms of peripheral arterial disease with localization in the legs can be:
- Reduced muscle force, functionality and balance
- Sensation of coldness and numbness (paresthesia) in the foot and fingers
- Lesions (wounds) difficult to treat
- Limb pain while resting, indicating that the peripheral arterial disease gets worse
- Erectile dysfunction

Physical signs of advanced peripheral arterial disease can take the following forms:
- Fingers and feet become pale during activities or when they are raised
- Loss of hair on the legs and toes
- A red coloring in the legs when they are hanging
- Blue or red spots on legs, feet or fingers caused by reduced blood flow to tissues
- Ulcers in the foot or fingers
- Infected gangrene (dead tissue), the appearance of black skin on the limbs and feet.

The severity of peripheral arterial disease may be indicated by the appearance of more severe symptoms. However, symptoms may be influenced or confused with other illnesses that the patient might have, such as arthritis. Peripheral arterial disease may also be confused with other diseases that have similar symptoms. Claims of painful lower limbs caused by peripheral arterial disease are rarely mentioned by some patients who have higher tolerance to pain.