Print Overview Claudication Enlarge image Close Claudication Claudication Claudication is pain in the legs or arms that occurs while walking or using the arms. The pain is caused by too little blood flow to the legs or arms. Claudication is usually a symptom of peripheral artery disease, in which the arteries that supply blood to the arms or legs, usually the legs, are narrowed. The narrowing is usually due to a buildup of fatty deposits, called plaque, on the artery walls. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a common condition in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the arms or legs. This condition also may be called peripheral arterial disease. In PAD, the legs or arms — usually the legs — don't get enough blood flow to keep up with demand. This may cause leg pain when walking, called claudication, and other symptoms. Peripheral artery disease is usually a sign of a buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries, a condition called atherosclerosis. Treatment for PAD includes exercising, eating healthy foods, and not smoking or using tobacco.Products & ServicesA Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health BookNewsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital EditionShow more products from Mayo Clinic SymptomsPeripheral artery disease (PAD) may not cause symptoms, or symptoms may be mild. PAD symptoms include: Leg pain when walking. Muscle pain or cramping in the arms or legs, often in the calf. Muscle pain in the arms or legs that begins with exercise and ends with rest. Painful cramping in one or both of the hips, thighs or calves after walking or climbing stairs or other activities. Pain when using the arms, such as aching and cramping when knitting or writing. Coldness in the lower leg or foot, especially when compared with the other side. Leg numbness or weakness. No pulse or a weak pulse in the legs or feet. The muscle pain in peripheral artery disease may: Be mild to extreme. Wake you up from sleep. Make it hard to walk or exercise. Occur during rest or when lying down if the condition is severe. Other symptoms of PAD may include: Shiny skin on the legs. Skin color changes on the legs. Slow-growing toenails. Sores on the toes, feet or legs that won't heal. Hair loss or slower hair growth on the legs. Erectile dysfunction. When to see a doctorMake an appointment for a health checkup if you have leg or arm pain or other symptoms of peripheral artery disease. Request an appointment There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. Email Address 1 ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. 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Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry Causes Development of atherosclerosis Enlarge image Close Development of atherosclerosis Development of atherosclerosis If there's too much cholesterol in the blood, the cholesterol and other substances may form deposits called plaque. Plaque can cause an artery to become narrowed or blocked. If a plaque ruptures, a blood clot can form. Plaque and blood clots can reduce blood flow through an artery. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is often caused by a buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances in and on the artery walls, a condition called atherosclerosis. The buildup is called plaque. Plaque can cause arteries to narrow, blocking blood flow. In PAD, plaque collects in the arteries of the arms or legs. Less common causes of PAD include: Swelling and irritation of blood vessels. Injury to the arms or legs. Changes in the muscles or ligaments. Radiation exposure. Risk factorsRisk factors for peripheral artery disease (PAD) include: A family history of peripheral artery disease, heart disease or stroke. Diabetes. High blood pressure. High cholesterol. Increasing age, especially after 65, or after 50 if you have risk factors for atherosclerosis. Obesity. Smoking. ComplicationsComplications of peripheral artery disease (PAD) caused by atherosclerosis include: Critical limb ischemia. In this condition, an injury or infection causes tissue to die. Symptoms include open sores on the limbs that don't heal. Treatment may include amputation of the affected limb. Stroke and heart attack. Plaque buildup in the arteries also can affect the blood vessels in the heart and brain. PreventionThe best way to prevent leg pain due to peripheral artery disease (PAD) is to have a healthy lifestyle. That means: Don't smoke. Eat foods that are low in sugar, trans fats and saturated fats. Get regular exercise — but check with your care team about what type and how much is best for you. Keep a healthy weight. Manage blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes. Get good sleep. Control stress. By Mayo Clinic Staff Peripheral artery disease (PAD) care at Mayo Clinic Request an appointment Diagnosis & treatment Aug. 09, 2024 Print Show references Peripheral arterial disease. Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/cardiovascular-disorders/peripheral-arterial-disorders/peripheral-arterial-disease. Accessed May 9, 2024. Berger JS, et al. Overview of lower extremity peripheral artery disease. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed May 9, 2024. Neschis DG, et al. Lower extremity peripheral artery disease: Clinical features and diagnosis. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed May 9, 2024. Prevention and treatment of PAD. American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/peripheral-artery-disease/prevention-and-treatment-of-pad. Accessed May 9, 2024. Gerhard-Herman MD, et al. 2016 AHA/ACC guideline on the management of patients with lower extremity peripheral artery disease: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2016; doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000471. Ferri FF. Peripheral artery disease. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2024. Elsevier; 2024. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed May 9, 2024. 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://health.gov/our-work/food-nutrition/2015-2020-dietary-guidelines/guidelines. Accessed May 9, 2024. Ami TR. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. April 9, 2024. Davies MG. Management of claudication due to peripheral artery disease. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed May 9, 2024. Harris L, et al. Peripheral artery disease: Prevalence and risk factors. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed May 9, 2024. Bjarnason H (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Oct. 15, 2020. Whelton PK, et al. 2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA guideline for the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Hypertension. 2018; doi:10.1161/HYP.0000000000000065. Hoffman R, et al. Peripheral artery disease. In: Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Elsevier; 2023. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed May 9, 2024. Grundy SM, et al. 2018 AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA guideline on the management of blood cholesterol: Executive summary: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2019; doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000624. Wan D, et al. Diet and nutrition in peripheral artery disease. The Canadian Journal of Cardiology. 2022; doi:10.1016/j.cjca.2022.01.021. Houghton DE (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. May 30, 2024. Related Claudication Graft bypass Associated Procedures Ankle-brachial index CT coronary angiogram Ultrasound News from Mayo Clinic Peripheral artery system at risk of disease due to family history, lifestyle Feb. 29, 2024, 04:01 p.m. CDT PAD: The other arterial disease July 05, 2023, 02:15 p.m. CDT Mayo Clinic Minute: How is peripheral artery disease diagnosed? Sept. 01, 2022, 03:31 p.m. CDT Products & Services A Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition Show more products and services from Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, has been recognized as one of the top Cardiology & Heart Surgery hospitals in the nation for 2024-2025 by U.S. News & World Report. Learn more about this top honor Peripheral artery disease (PAD)Symptoms&causesDiagnosis&treatmentDoctors&departmentsCare atMayoClinic Advertisement Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on IncontinenceThe Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic PressThe Essential Diabetes BookMayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on Hearing and BalanceFREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic PressFREE Mayo Clinic Diet AssessmentMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book CON-20155123 Patient Care & Health Information Diseases & Conditions Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. Email Address 1 ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry