Arterial Blockages in the Legs

Signs and Symptoms

The symptoms of arterial blockage vary by individual, with some people experiencing no symptoms at all, while others may have:

• Pain when walking, called claudication
• Pain when at rest
• Foot ulcers
• Gangrene

Diagnosis

To diagnose a blocked artery in your leg, your doctor will ask about your medical history, perform a physical examination and order a number of safe and painless non-invasive tests. These tests will check your circulation and may include measurement of blood pressure in the legs and ultrasound imaging of the arteries.

Treatment

If your doctor confirms that you have an arterial blockage in your leg, treatment will be based on the degree of blockage and the symptoms present. Treatment may include the following:

• Risk factor modification, such as smoking cessation, control of high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and optimal management of diabetes

• Specific medication

• Balloon angioplasty where a catheter-guided balloon is inflated inside the affected artery to relieve the blockage

• Surgery -- often bypass surgery to direct blood flow around the blocked area of the artery