New Delhi: Many people dismiss leg pain while walking or climbing stairs as a normal part of ageing, tired muscles, or joint problems. However, doctors say that in some cases, this pain may be an early warning sign of a more serious health condition known as Peripheral Artery Disease, or PAD. Health experts are urging people not to ignore this symptom because it could indicate blocked arteries and a higher risk of heart attack or stroke in the future.
Peripheral Artery Disease develops when fatty deposits, known as plaque, build up inside the arteries that carry blood to the legs. As these arteries become narrower, blood flow to the muscles is reduced. This lack of blood supply often causes pain, cramping, or discomfort during physical activity. The pain usually eases after a few minutes of rest but returns when the person starts walking again. Doctors refer to this symptom as intermittent claudication.
Medical experts say PAD should not be viewed as only a problem affecting the legs. It is considered a sign of widespread artery disease throughout the body. If blood vessels in the legs are blocked, there is a greater chance that arteries supplying the heart and brain may also be affected. This makes people with PAD more likely to suffer from heart attacks, strokes, or other serious cardiovascular conditions if the disease is left untreated.
According to the latest guidance from the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology, PAD remains one of the most underdiagnosed cardiovascular diseases worldwide. Millions of people are estimated to be living with the condition, but many remain unaware because symptoms can be mild or mistaken for other problems such as arthritis or muscle strain. Some patients may not experience any symptoms at all until the disease has progressed.
Doctors say the classic warning sign is pain, cramping, aching, or fatigue in the calves, thighs, or buttocks that appears during walking, climbing stairs, or exercise and disappears with rest. However, there are several other symptoms that should not be ignored. These include cold feet, weak pulses in the legs, numbness, slow healing wounds on the feet or toes, shiny skin, loss of hair on the legs, and pain in the feet even while resting, especially in more advanced stages of the disease.
Certain groups of people face a much higher risk of developing PAD. These include smokers, people with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, chronic kidney disease, and older adults. Individuals who already have coronary artery disease or a family history of cardiovascular disease are also at increased risk. Doctors point out that diabetes deserves special attention because nerve damage caused by the disease may reduce pain sensation, allowing PAD to worsen without obvious warning signs.
Health experts recommend that anyone experiencing repeated leg pain during activity should seek medical advice instead of assuming it is a normal part of ageing. One of the simplest and most effective screening methods is the Ankle Brachial Index test, which compares blood pressure in the ankle with blood pressure in the arm. Depending on the results, doctors may also recommend ultrasound scans, CT angiography, MR angiography, or other imaging tests to assess blood flow in the arteries.
The good news is that PAD can often be managed successfully if it is detected early. Treatment usually begins with lifestyle changes. Quitting smoking is considered one of the most important steps because smoking significantly speeds up artery damage. Doctors also encourage regular walking exercise, healthy eating, weight management, and careful control of diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. Medications such as cholesterol lowering drugs and blood thinning medicines may also be prescribed. In severe cases where blood flow is seriously restricted, procedures such as angioplasty or bypass surgery may be required to restore circulation.
Doctors also stress that not every case of leg pain is caused by blocked arteries. Muscle injuries, arthritis, nerve disorders, and joint conditions remain much more common causes of discomfort. However, pain that consistently appears during walking or climbing stairs, improves with rest, and returns with activity should never be ignored, particularly in people with known cardiovascular risk factors.
Health specialists say recognising these warning signs early could help prevent not only serious leg complications but also life threatening events such as heart attacks and strokes. Paying attention to symptoms that may seem minor today could provide an opportunity for early diagnosis, timely treatment, and better long term heart health.