Symptoms That May Warrant a Vascular Evaluation

These symptoms are not diagnoses

Leg pain, lower-extremity discomfort, cramping with walking, swelling, skin color or texture changes, and sores that heal slowly are symptoms or findings. They are not the same as PAD, PVD, varicose veins, DVT, or limb ischemia.

Muscles, nerves, joints, skin, infection, and other medical problems can cause similar complaints. Online reading cannot tell them apart.

Leg pain and cramping

Some people notice aching or cramping in the calves, thighs, or hips that comes on with walking and eases with rest. Physicians may call that pattern claudication when they are considering arterial blood flow, but the word describes a symptom pattern, not a confirmed disease.

Night cramps, rest pain, and pain after injury have other common explanations. A physician decides what to evaluate.

Swelling, skin changes, and wounds

Swelling in one or both legs can be related to veins, lymph vessels, heart function, medication, or other causes. Skin darkening, thickening, or a sore on the foot or ankle also has a wide range of possible explanations.

A non-healing lower-extremity wound should be assessed by a clinician. This website cannot judge whether a wound is infected, ischemic, or related to vein disease.

Heart rhythm symptoms are a separate topic

Palpitations, fainting, or an irregular heartbeat are discussed on the heart rhythm condition pages. Some people have both circulation concerns and rhythm concerns. Each still needs individual evaluation.

When to call

Call the Reseda office during weekday hours if you want to ask whether a cardiovascular visit is appropriate. Call 911 for sudden severe symptoms, including chest pain, trouble breathing, fainting, or a suddenly cold, pale, or severely painful limb.

Do not use this page to decide that you do or do not have vascular disease.