Your leg pain may be something serious

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects more than 7 million adults, including one in three over age 70, according to the American Heart Association. These people have four to five times the risk for heart disease and stroke and are likely to go undiagnosed.

If you have troublesome leg pain, make a note of it and discuss it with your physician on your next visit. It could be more than arthritis or another sign of aging; it might indicate PAD.

You are more at risk of developing PAD if you ...

Have cardiovascular (heart) problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart attack or stroke

Have diabetes

Have a family history of diabetes or cardiovascular problems

Have ever had a blood clot or “DVT”

Have aching, cramping or pain in your legs or hips when you walk or exercise, but then it goes away when you rest

Have pain or discoloration in your hands, toes or feet at night. This may include tingling, numbness or coldness.

Have any ulcers or sores on your feet or legs that are slow in healing

Smoke or have ever smoked

Are more than 25 pounds overweight

Experience impotence

Are over age 50

Have irregular growth of fingernails or toenails

Have acute swelling in your legs

Have a history of vascular disease such as blood vessel calcification or plaque

The disease results from fatty material (plaque) building up on the walls of the arteries in the legs. This causes the arteries to become narrower and to harden (known as atherosclerosis). Over time, the arteries lose their ability to deliver enough blood and oxygen to the leg muscles, even when they are at rest.

The reduced circulation can cause blood clots to form, blocking circulation to smaller arteries. The clots create vascular events, which further increase the risk of stroke or a heart attack.

Fortunately you can help prevent this disease through some lifestyle changes.

Quit smoking. Smokers have a higher risk for PAD and a higher risk for heart disease and stroke if they already have PAD.

Maintain a healthy weight. Aim for a body mass index (BMI) of 24 or less to avoid developing PAD, diabetes, high blood pressure and other serious health conditions.

Get moving. Talk to your physician about exercise programs that may help protect your heart and reduce PAD symptoms.

Control your blood pressure and cholesterol with your physician’s guidance.

By paying attention to your symptoms and talking with your physician, you can help avoid this apparently minor but truly serious health problem.

Dr. Thomas Truong is a native of Sparks, Nev., and earned his bachelor of science at UNR. Dr. Truong went to medical school at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences and completed his residency at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. Dr. Truong completed fellowships in cardiology and interventional cardiology at Oklahoma State and Largo Medical Center in Largo, Fla. Dr. Truong is at the Fallon clinic, 1020 New River Parkway, Suite 301 two to three times a month.