What are the symptoms of peripheral vascular disease?

Approximately half the people diagnosed with peripheral vascular disease are symptom free.  For those experiencing symptoms, the most common first symptom is intermittent claudication in the calf (leg discomfort described as painful cramping that occurs with exercise and is relieved by rest).  During rest, the muscles need less blood flow, so the pain disappears. It may occur in one of both legs depending on the location of the clogged or narrowed artery. 

Other symptoms of peripheral vascular disease may include:

• changes in the skin, including decreased skin temperature, or thin, brittle shiny skin in the legs and feet
• diminished pulses in the legs and the feet
• gangrene (dead tissue due to lack of blood flow)
• hair loss on the legs
• impotence
• non-healing wounds over pressure points, such as heels or ankles
• numbness, weakness, or heaviness in muscles
• pain in legs while walking, relieved with rest (claudication)
• pain in legs at rest, commonly in the toes and at night while lying flat
• pallor (paleness) when the legs are elevated
• reddish-blue discoloration of the extremities
• restricted mobility