Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a form of cardiovascular disease. It occurs when fatty deposits of cholesterol build up on the inner walls of arteries, a process called atherosclerosis. While not immediately life-threatening, PAD makes you more likely to develop other heart health problems, such as heart attack, stroke, coronary artery disease, and angina, warns the UK’s National Health Service (NHS).
Because PAD most commonly affects the arteries in the legs, many people with the condition notice symptoms in their legs and feet. People with PAD often report having “brittle, slow-growing toenails,” says the NHS.
According to the U.S. Vascular Centers, this occurs because the capillaries located beneath the nail bed need an oxygen-rich blood supply for nails to grow. As blood flow is restricted due to narrowed arteries, toenail growth may slow, and the color and texture of the nails and nail beds may change.
Pay attention to other signs that may indicate PAD
While many people with PAD don’t experience any symptoms, others notice signs of the condition in the lower half of their body. According to the NHS, the most common symptom is a stabbing, intermittent leg pain, which can be mild or severe and affect one or both legs. Many patients also experience cramps that begin in the toes and move up to the calves, especially when walking or doing other physical activity.
In addition to pain and slow toenail growth, patients with PAD also frequently experience hair loss on their legs and feet. Numbness or weakness in the legs, leg and foot ulcers, shiny skin on the lower extremities, and changes in skin color on the legs and erectile dysfunction in men.
The most severe symptoms of PAD may indicate a related condition known as critical limb ischemia. This condition causes blockage of the arteries, severely limiting blood flow to the arms or legs. It can cause pain while sleeping or resting and can lead to open sores or wounds on the toes or legs that do not heal or heal very slowly. If left untreated, this condition can lead to amputation of the affected limb.
