OKLAHOMA CARDIOVASCULAR CENTER · FOR PATIENTS
Peripheral artery disease develops slowly, and its early signs are easy to explain away. Here are six worth paying attention to — especially if you have diabetes, smoke or used to, or have heart disease in the family.
Signs worth checking
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Leg pain or cramping when you walk that eases with rest (claudication).
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A wound or sore on the foot or leg that is slow to heal — weeks rather than days.
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Cold feet, or one foot colder than the other, or a foot that looks pale when raised and dusky when lowered.
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Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the feet.
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Shiny skin, hair loss on the legs, or toenails that grow slowly — signs the tissue is not getting enough blood.
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Rest pain — aching or burning in the foot at night that improves when you hang the foot off the bed. This one is more urgent.
Why acting early matters
Caught early, poor circulation is often managed with lifestyle changes and medicines. Left unchecked, it can progress to non-healing wounds and, in the worst cases, threaten the limb. The good news is that it is easy to check — often with a simple, painless ultrasound in the office — and highly treatable at every stage.
Peripheral Artery Disease → In-house ultrasound → Request an evaluation →
When to call us — don’t wait for your next visit
Some signs of poor circulation need prompt attention rather than a routine visit.
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Call our office today if you notice:
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A foot wound with spreading redness, foul drainage, or new black tissue
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Foot pain at rest or pain that wakes you at night
Call our office at (918) 943-5303 and tell us what’s changed — we’ll get you seen sooner, because catching these early often keeps a small problem from becoming a big one.
Go to the emergency room now, or call 911, if you have:
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A foot or leg that becomes suddenly cold, pale, numb, or painful
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An infection that is spreading quickly, or a fever with a wound