Published on September 09, 2025

Exploring PAD and Its Impact on Your Health

Image of legs with veins running through. Wording says Peripheral Artery Disease Awareness Month September.

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) affects more than 8 million Americans ages 40 and older. It develops when arteries in the legs become narrowed or blocked due to plaque buildup, restricting blood flow to the limbs. While PAD can impact any artery, it commonly affects circulation in the legs, and if left untreated, can cause serious complications.

Common Symptoms

Not everyone with PAD experiences noticeable symptoms but about 1 in 4 people do. Common warning signs include:

  • Pain, fatigue, heaviness, tiredness or cramping in the leg muscles during activity that improves with rest
  • Numbness or weakness in the legs
  • Skin discoloration in the feet such as paleness or a bluish tint
  • Coldness in one leg compared to the other (skin cool to the touch)

If ignored, these symptoms can worsen over time, limiting mobility and quality of life.

The Role of Wound Care in PAD

If a wound develops, specialized treatment at a wound center can make a significant difference in recovery. One of the first steps a wound care provider may take is to evaluate the blow flow to the extremities. If appropriate a referral to help restore blood flow to the affected area would be made. This, combined with a thorough lower extremity assessment and foot evaluation, helps create a personalized care plan specific to each patient’s needs.

Without proper treatment, wounds caused by PAD complications can worsen. Dead tissue may continue to spread, infections can advance, and in some cases, amputation becomes the only option to protect overall health. That’s why timely and comprehensive wound care is essential for patients living with PAD.

At the Wound Care centers at MyMichigan Health, our clinicians are trained in both traditional and advanced therapies to support wound healing. These may include innovative treatments such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which increases oxygen delivery to damaged tissues and promotes faster recovery.

For more information about PAD, the services available at MyMichigan Health wound centers or to schedule an appointment, call (877) 683-0800 or learn more at mymichigan.org/wound.

Carlyn Hinish, D.P.M., is a podiatrist seeing patients at MyMichigan Orthopedics & Sports Medicine in Saginaw, as well as MyMichigan Podiatry in Bay City. She is also a provider at Wound Care in Saginaw and the Wound Treatment Center in Tawas City.