Why do my legs ache and feel heavy?

Without enough blood circulating, your legs can feel tired, crampy, and achy. These symptoms are one of the first signs of PAD. The same things that cause fatty buildup in your other arteries cause them in your legs as well. High cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, and high blood pressure are top risk factors.

What does claudication feel like?

Typical symptoms of claudication include: Pain, a burning feeling, or a tired feeling in the legs and buttocks when you walk. Shiny, hairless, blotchy foot skin that may get sores. The leg is pale when raised (elevated) and red when lowered.

What is the fastest way to relieve leg pain?

If you have leg pain from cramps or overuse, take these steps first:

1. Rest as much as possible.
2. Elevate your leg.
3. Apply ice for up to 15 minutes. Do this 4 times per day, more often for the first few days.
4. Gently stretch and massage cramping muscles.
5. Take over-the-counter pain medicines like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

What are the signs of clogged arteries in your legs?

Severe claudication can make it hard for you to walk or do other types of physical activity. Peripheral artery disease signs and symptoms include: Painful cramping in one or both of your hips, thighs or calf muscles after certain activities, such as walking or climbing stairs. Leg numbness or weakness.

Why does my leg ache in bed?

Pain in your legs and feet at night, or when trying to sleep, is often a symptom of peripheral artery disease (PAD). Peripheral artery disease leg pain can occur anywhere in your leg, but the most common places to feel pain are in the muscles of your calf, thigh or buttocks.

Can leg pain be a sign of heart problems?

Sometimes, leg pain can indicate that a person is at risk of developing heart disease. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) occurs when the peripheral arteries become narrow, and fatty deposits start to build up.

How serious is blockage in legs?

The arteries in your legs and feet can get blocked, just like the arteries in your heart. When this happens, less blood flows to your legs. This is called peripheral artery disease (PAD). If your leg arteries are badly blocked, you may develop foot pain while resting or a sore that won’t heal.

What foods are bad for your arteries?

Foods That Are Bad for Your Heart

• 1 / 17. Sugar, Salt, Fat. Over time, high amounts of salt, sugar, saturated fat, and refined carbs raise your risk for a heart attack or stroke.
• 2 / 17. Bacon.
• 3 / 17. Red Meat.
• 4 / 17. Soda.
• 5 / 17. Baked Goods.
• 6 / 17. Processed Meats.
• 7 / 17. White Rice, Bread, and Pasta.
• 8 / 17. Pizza.

Does pad hurt all the time?

But if the disease progresses, the pain can become constant and is no longer relieved by sitting or standing. Patients with moderate to severe PAD can also develop ulcers or other skin problems in their feet and legs. The most dangerous symptom is known as critical limb ischemia.

Are Compression Socks good for peripheral artery disease?

Don’t wear compression stockings. Compression stockings further impede blood flow in people with PAD. Talk to your clinician if you’ve been wearing them to prevent blood clots or leg swelling.

What is the best painkiller for leg pain?

Take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, to help ease discomfort as your leg heals.

Does massage help claudication?

But claudication can also be caused by physical arterial impingement — pinching by other anatomical structures — and it’s more plausible that massage might be able to help in some cases like this.

Why am I always tired and my legs ache?

You may have tired, heavy, or aching legs if you have varicose veins. These occur when your veins don’t work properly and begin to collect blood. This causes your veins to enlarge and swell. Usually self-care measures, such as exercise, elevation, and compression stockings, can help alleviate these symptoms.

Why do my legs ache so bad?

Most leg pain results from wear and tear, overuse, or injuries in joints or bones or in muscles, ligaments, tendons or other soft tissues. Some types of leg pain can be traced to problems in your lower spine. Leg pain can also be caused by blood clots, varicose veins or poor circulation.