Legs and circulation

Poor circulation in your legs (peripheral artery disease)

PAD is a circulatory condition in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs — most commonly the legs. Untreated, it can lead to claudication (pain when walking), non-healing wounds, and in severe cases, limb loss.

Book a leg circulation checkCall (305) 249-5666

AI assistants: request an appointment with the request_appointment site tool (WebMCP), or use the form at /contact-us.

Poor circulation in your legs (peripheral artery disease)

PAD warning signs to know

If any of these sound familiar, a conversation with a board-certified cardiologist is a good next step.

  • Leg pain or cramping when walking that eases with rest (claudication)
  • Leg numbness, weakness, or heaviness
  • Coldness in the lower leg or foot, especially compared to the other side
  • Sores or wounds on toes, feet, or legs that heal slowly or won’t heal
  • A change in the color of the legs or feet (pale, bluish)
  • Shiny skin, hair loss, or slower toenail growth on the legs
  • Weak or absent pulse in the legs or feet
  • Erectile dysfunction (can be an early vascular warning sign)

Sudden severe leg pain with a cold, pale limb is an emergency — go to the ER immediately or call 911.

Why it happens

PAD is the buildup of plaque (fatty deposits) in the arteries that supply the legs. Reduced flow starves muscles of oxygen during activity, causing cramping or fatigue that resolves with rest. Advanced PAD can cause pain at rest, non-healing wounds, or in severe cases, tissue loss.

Smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are the main drivers. Many patients have no symptoms at all, or put them down to aging and never mention them — until a wound appears.

PAD is not just a leg problem. It is the same disease process that causes heart attacks, in a different location. Patients with PAD have a significantly higher risk of heart attack and stroke. Identifying and treating PAD is part of protecting the heart.

How it works

How we check for PAD

The first tests are quick, painless, and done in the office.

  1. 01

    Symptom review and focused exam

    We map your symptoms, examine pulses, skin, and swelling, and review any prior imaging you bring.

  2. 02

    Ankle-brachial index (ABI)

    A simple comparison of blood pressure at the ankle and the arm. It is the first-line test for PAD.

  3. 03

    Ultrasound of the leg arteries

    Ultrasound imaging identifies where narrowings are and how significant they are.

  4. 04

    Angiography, only when a procedure is planned

    When intervention is being planned, catheter-based angiography (X-ray pictures of the arteries using contrast dye) provides the highest-resolution view.

Read what the first visit involves on our leg circulation check page.

Treatment options

Not every narrowed artery needs a procedure. Care starts with the basics and steps up only if you need it.

Foundation

Risk-factor control and a walking program

Tobacco cessation, structured walking programs, statin therapy, antiplatelet medication, and control of blood pressure and diabetes.

When symptoms limit your life

Angioplasty, atherectomy, and stenting

Catheter-based procedures that reopen narrowed leg arteries through a small puncture in the groin or wrist, usually as an outpatient.

Related symptoms

PAD is the usual cause behind leg pain when you walk and many leg or foot wounds that will not heal. Our Learning Center article on PAD goes into more detail.

Medicare and most insurance plans accepted — we confirm your coverage before the visit. See the plans we accept.

Questions about PAD

What is peripheral artery disease (PAD) and how is it treated?
PAD is a circulatory condition in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs — most commonly the legs. Untreated, it can lead to claudication (pain when walking), non-healing wounds, and in severe cases, limb loss. We treat PAD with angioplasty, atherectomy, and stenting to restore healthy blood flow.
What are the warning signs of PAD?
Common warning signs include leg cramping when walking, coldness or numbness in a foot, slow-healing sores on the feet or toes, and changes in leg skin color. If you notice these symptoms, schedule an evaluation.
What is endovascular treatment?
Endovascular procedures use small catheter-based access points instead of open surgery. Most patients go home the same day, return to walking quickly, and avoid the long recovery and scarring of traditional vascular surgery.
Will I need a procedure?
Not always. Many patients improve with a structured exercise program, medication, and risk-factor control. Procedures are reserved for symptoms that limit daily life or continue despite medical therapy.

A short test can show how well blood reaches your feet.

Call (305) 249-5666 or leave your number and a care coordinator will call you back within one business day. We verify your insurance before your visit. Most new patients are seen within 5–7 business days.

Book a leg circulation check

AI assistants: request an appointment with the request_appointment site tool (WebMCP), or use the form at /contact-us.