Vascular Disease Basics - Painful walking can indicate blood vessel disease

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Painful walking can indicate blood vessel disease

Many people know that blocked blood vessels in the heart and the brain can cause heart disease and stroke. But similar blockages can also occur in the legs, causing pain, numbness and cramping in the thighs, calves, and buttocks. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) can produce leg pain while walking, which is often mistaken for arthritis and sciatica. People with PAD may be at higher risk for heart attack and stroke so early diagnosis is key. A simple, painless test performed in the physician’s office measures blood pressure in the ankles, which helps to detect abnormal blood vessel flow in PAD.

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