The pain may become stronger when walking uphill, climbing stairs, or moving at a faster pace.
After stopping and resting for a few minutes, the discomfort often improves.
This pattern is known medically as intermittent claudication.
It occurs because narrowed arteries cannot always deliver enough oxygen-rich blood to the working muscles during physical activity.
When muscles become active, their demand for oxygen increases.
If circulation is restricted, the tissues may not receive the supply they need.
The result can be aching, cramping, fatigue, or a burning sensation.
Initially, someone may experience symptoms only after walking a relatively long distance.
As the condition progresses, the discomfort may begin after shorter periods of activity.
Some people mistakenly attribute these changes to aging.
Others assume they are simply out of shape or experiencing ordinary muscle fatigue.
But recurring pain that consistently appears during walking and improves with rest should not automatically be dismissed.
It may be a sign that the arteries supplying the legs are narrowed.
The NHS identifies pain in the legs during walking that improves after stopping and resting as the main symptom of PAD.
There is also an important connection with heart health.
PAD and coronary artery disease frequently share the same underlying process: atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis involves plaque buildup in the arteries.
When it affects arteries supplying the legs, it can cause PAD.
When it affects arteries supplying the heart, it can contribute to coronary artery disease and potentially a heart attack.
This is why doctors take recurring leg pain seriously, particularly in people who smoke, have diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.
The pain does not mean a heart attack is about to happen within a month.
Instead, it may be a clue that a person has an underlying vascular condition that increases their overall cardiovascular risk.
4. Small Cuts or Sores on Your Feet Take an Unusually Long Time to Heal
A minor cut on the foot may seem unimportant.
Most small wounds gradually improve as the body repairs damaged tissue.
However, when circulation is poor, the healing process can become slower.
Wounds require oxygen, nutrients, and an adequate blood supply to recover.
If arteries are narrowed, the tissues may not receive enough oxygen-rich blood to support normal healing.
This can make small injuries more difficult to repair.
A blister caused by tight shoes may remain open longer than expected.
A small cut near a toenail may become a persistent sore.
An ulcer may develop on a toe or the bottom of the foot.
In people with diabetes, the problem can become more complicated because nerve damage may reduce the ability to feel pain or notice an injury.
Someone may continue walking on an injured area without realizing how much damage is occurring.
The wound can then become larger or infected.
This is one reason routine foot examinations are important for people with diabetes and those diagnosed with circulation problems.
PAD can reduce blood flow and interfere with healing.
If an ulcer develops, the risk of infection increases.
In severe cases, untreated tissue damage can progress to gangrene.
The American Heart Association and NHLBI both identify wounds that heal slowly or fail to heal as important signs of PAD.
Men and women should pay attention to:
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Cuts that remain open for unusually long periods.
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Blisters that repeatedly break down.
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Sores around the toes or heels.
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Wounds that develop darker tissue.
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Redness, swelling, or discharge around an injury.
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Foot ulcers that return after apparently healing.
A persistent wound deserves medical assessment, especially in someone with diabetes, smoking history, or known cardiovascular disease.
If a wound becomes increasingly red, hot, swollen, or painful, or if fever develops, urgent medical care may be necessary.
Do not attempt to remove damaged tissue or treat a deep foot ulcer yourself.
5. The Skin on Your Feet Becomes Shiny, Thin, or Unusually Dry
Changes in skin texture can sometimes provide clues about the condition of the blood vessels underneath.
When circulation is impaired over a long period, the tissues may not receive the nutrients and oxygen required to maintain their normal structure.
The skin may become thinner, smoother, or unusually shiny.
Some people also notice that their legs have less hair than before.
The toenails may grow more slowly or become thicker and more brittle.
These changes are not necessarily painful.
That is one reason they can go unnoticed.
Someone may assume that dry skin is caused by aging, frequent bathing, or a lack of moisturizer.
In other cases, nail changes may be attributed entirely to fungal infections.
However, when several changes occur together, it is worth considering whether circulation needs to be evaluated.
PAD can affect the skin, hair follicles, and nail growth because all of these tissues depend on an adequate blood supply.
A person may notice that the lower legs appear unusually smooth because hair growth has decreased.
The skin may also become dry and more vulnerable to injury.
The CDC lists smooth, shiny skin, hair loss, and reduced nail growth among physical signs that may occur with PAD.
It is important to understand that shiny skin alone does not prove that someone has arterial disease.
Similar changes can occur with aging, dermatological conditions, and other medical problems.
The combination of symptoms is what makes an examination important.
For example, shiny skin accompanied by cold toes, walking pain, and slow-healing sores deserves more attention than dry skin occurring by itself.
6. Your Feet and Ankles Become Unusually Swollen
Swollen feet and ankles are common, particularly after standing or sitting for long periods.
Warm weather, pregnancy, certain medications, and problems affecting the veins can also contribute to fluid accumulation.
However, persistent or unexplained swelling may sometimes be associated with a cardiovascular problem.
One important possibility is heart failure.
Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot pump blood effectively enough to meet the body's needs.
This can cause fluid to accumulate in different parts of the body.
The lower legs, ankles, and feet are common places where swelling becomes noticeable because gravity encourages fluid to collect in the lower extremities.
Some people notice that their shoes become tighter.
Others find that their socks leave deeper marks around the ankles.
Swelling may become more noticeable toward the end of the day.
In more significant cases, the legs may feel heavy, and pressing gently on the swollen area may leave a temporary indentation.
This is known as pitting edema.
However, swelling is not specific to heart failure.
It can also result from kidney disease, liver disease, venous insufficiency, blood clots, or medication side effects.
The NHS identifies swelling in the feet, ankles, legs, or abdomen as one possible symptom of heart failure, particularly when accompanied by breathlessness, fatigue, and sudden weight gain.