Most people with P.A.D. experience no symptoms at all. For those who have been diagnosed with P.A.D., by the time they actually feel pain or heaviness in their legs due to poor leg circulation, the buildup of plaque may have narrowed the arteries by 60% or more.
And if you have a buildup of plaque in your legs, you may also have it in the arteries to your heart and brain as well. This plaque may be unstable and can rupture, which can then lead to the formation of clots—the leading cause of heart attack and stroke.
Know the symptoms*
There are some recognized symptoms of P.A.D. Poor leg circulation can also include pain, cramps, or heaviness or tiredness in your calves, thighs, or buttocks that occurs when you exercise-even just walking a short distance-and that eases after rest.
Symptoms of poor leg circulation in the arteries of the leg can also include a reddish-blue color of the leg when sitting, paleness when the leg is elevated, or little or no pulse in the leg or foot. Learn About PLAVIX
If you have any of these symptoms of P.A.D., don’t dismiss them as a natural part of growing older. And remember, you may not have symptoms. So, talk to your doctor as soon as possible. Learn More About P.A.D.
*PLAVIX is not indicated for the treatment of symptoms of P.A.D.
Know your risk factors
Because many people with P.A.D. have no symptoms, it’s important to know and identify the risk factors for P.A.D. If you have any ONE of the following risk factors, talk to your doctor about getting tested for P.A.D.
- You're over 50 and have one or more of the following:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- Smoke or used to smoke
- A history of heart attack or stroke
- You're over 70
Know that treatment can help
If you have poor leg circulation and are diagnosed with P.A.D., your doctor will likely discuss your treatment options. It’s good to know that there are medicines that can help reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke.
One of these medicines is PLAVIX. For more than 11 years, doctors have written PLAVIX prescriptions to over 100 million people. To find out more about PLAVIX, click the button under "Talking with your doctor." If you have poor leg circulation and are diagnosed with P.A.D., ask your doctor if PLAVIX might be the right choice for you.
*IMS Health, NPA Plus™, TRxs. February 2010.
What to do next:
Getting tested
