Arteriosclerosis Obliterans Quiz
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Loss of sensation
Leg pain
Walking causes legs to tingle but it gets better after rest
Tingling
Pain in legs when walking/taking stairs
Numbness in lower leg
My arm and leg on one side is harder to move than the other
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
What is Arteriosclerosis Obliterans?
Arteriosclerosis obliterans or peripheral artery disease is a condition where arteries become clogged from fatty deposits. The most commonly affected arteries are the abdominal aorta and arteries of the lower limbs. Common symptoms include pain and cramping in the lower extremities with increased activity because those muscles are unable to get adequate blood flow.
Typical Symptoms of Arteriosclerosis Obliterans
- Tingling or pricking numbness or pain in the legs that improves after a period of rest
- Numbness anywhere from the knees to the ankles
- Fingers and toes are pale white or blue
- Bluish or pale skin
- Cold hands and feet
- Kidney failure on dialysis
- Changed or unusual skin sensations
- Numbness or tingling
Diagnostic Questions for Arteriosclerosis Obliterans
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Are you able to exercise again after your pain and numbness improve with rest?
- Do you have numbness in your lower legs?
- Are your fingers or toes pale?
- Do you have any bluish or pale skin?
- Do you often have cold hands and feet?
Treatment of Arteriosclerosis Obliterans
Treatment for arteriosclerosis obliterans first and foremost involves risk reduction through diet, exercise, smoking cessation and treatment of commonly co-occurring diseases like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes with medications. For more severe disease, treatment involves medications to prevent blood clots and ease symptoms. Surgery may be done to open up the blocked arteries.
Reviewed By:
Kenji Taylor, MD, MSc (Family Medicine, Primary Care)
Dr. Taylor is a Japanese-African American physician who grew up and was educated in the United States but spent a considerable amount of time in Japan as a college student, working professional and now father of three. After graduating from Brown, he worked in finance first before attending medical school at Penn. He then completed a fellowship with the Centers for Disease Control before going on to specialize in Family and Community Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) where he was also a chief resident. After a faculty position at Stanford, he moved with his family to Japan where he continues to see families on a military base outside of Tokyo, teach Japanese residents and serve remotely as a medical director for Roots Community Health Center. He also enjoys editing and writing podcast summaries for Hippo Education.
Kaito Nakamura, MD (Rheumatology)
Dr. Nakamura is a rheumatologist who has practiced in the Ota Nishinouchi Hospital attached to Ota General Hospital, National Health Insurance Matsudo City Hospital, Chiba University Hospital, and the National Health Insurance Asahi Central Hospital.
Content updated on Mar 31, 2024
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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- Numbness in fingers
- My hands and feet are cold
- Pale skin
- Cold hands
- Cold hands
- Cold legs
- Cold hands and feet
- Cold extremities
- Finger joint pain
- Circulation issues in hands
- The soles get cold
- Fingers turn blue
- Cold hands and/or feet
- Discoloration of fingers or toes
- Always cold
See full list
Symptoms Related to Arteriosclerosis Obliterans
Diseases Related to Arteriosclerosis Obliterans
FAQs
Q.
Leg Pain? Why Your Arteries Are Narrowing & Medically Approved PAD Next Steps
A.
Leg pain that starts with walking and eases with rest often points to peripheral artery disease from plaque narrowing the leg arteries, a common and treatable problem that also raises your risk of heart attack and stroke. Medically approved next steps include seeing a clinician for an ankle brachial index and ultrasound, stopping smoking, starting a structured walking program, and controlling blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes, with medications or minimally invasive procedures if symptoms persist; there are several factors to consider and urgent warning signs to know, so see the complete details below.
References:
* Creager, M. A., et al. Peripheral Artery Disease: Detection, Prognosis, and Treatment. *Journal of the American College of Cardiology*. 2016;67(8):919-932. PMID: 26917066.
* Gerhard-Herman, M. D., et al. 2016 AHA/ACC Guideline on the Management of Patients With Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. *Circulation*. 2017;135(12):e726-e779. PMID: 27840333.
* Conte, M. S., & O'Leary, E. L. Intermittent claudication: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and medical treatment. *The Permanente Journal*. 2014;18(1):e104-e110. PMID: 24623778.
* Criqui, M. H., & Aboyans, V. Current Management of Peripheral Artery Disease. *Journal of the American Medical Association*. 2015;313(21):2167-2178. PMID: 26034177.
* Hirsch, A. T., et al. Diagnosis and management of peripheral artery disease in primary care. *Journal of the American Heart Association*. 2012;1(2):e001104. PMID: 23136611.
Q.
Is Your Leg Pain Serious? Why Your Femoral Artery is Failing & Medical Next Steps
A.
Leg pain that starts with walking and eases with rest, plus cool or discolored skin, slow-healing foot wounds, or pain at night can signal femoral artery narrowing from peripheral artery disease, a condition that threatens limb health and raises heart attack and stroke risk. Doctors diagnose it with pulse checks, an ankle-brachial index, and imaging, and treat with smoking cessation and structured walking, risk-factor and antiplatelet or statin medications, and when needed angioplasty, stents, or bypass; seek urgent care for sudden severe pain, a cold pale numb leg, or loss of pulse. There are several factors to consider for your exact next steps, so see below for the complete guidance and warning signs to review with your clinician.
References:
* Virani SS, Newby LK, Arnold SV, et al. 2022 AHA/ACC/SCAI Guideline for Peripheral Artery Disease: Diagnosis and Management of PAD of the Lower Extremities: A Report of the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2022 Dec 13;146(24):e185-e322. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000001091. Epub 2022 Oct 24. PMID: 36281216.
* Criqui MH, Treat-Jacobson D, Aboyans V, et al. Peripheral Artery Disease. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2021 May 6;7(1):37. doi: 10.1038/s41572-021-00275-8. PMID: 33958564.
* Conte MS, Pignatelli P, Magnini V, Bartimoccia S, Pastori D, Violi F. Critical Limb Ischemia: An Update on Clinical Management. Eur Heart J Suppl. 2020 May 30;22(Suppl D):D102-D108. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/suaa088. PMID: 32547146; PMCID: PMC7260580.
* Subherwal S, Patel MR. Revascularization for Peripheral Artery Disease: A Review of Outcomes. JACC Cardiovasc Interv. 2021 May 24;14(10):1063-1077. doi: 10.1016/j.jcin.2021.03.024. Epub 2021 May 5. PMID: 33965561.
* Hirsch AT, Hirsch R. Medical Management of Peripheral Artery Disease: An Update. Curr Treat Options Cardiovasc Med. 2021 Jul 26;23(9):43. doi: 10.1007/s11936-021-00929-3. PMID: 34312891.
Q.
Is Arteriosclerosis Reversible? Why Your Arteries Stiffen and Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Arteriosclerosis is seldom fully reversible, but early changes can sometimes improve and progression can usually be slowed or stabilized with the right medical care and lifestyle changes. There are several factors to consider, including age, high blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, inflammation, and inactivity, and medically approved next steps include tight blood pressure and LDL control, diabetes management, quitting smoking, regular exercise, a heart-healthy diet, weight management, and procedures when indicated; see below for key details that may affect your personal plan.
References:
* pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33973680/
* pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33543940/
* pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36451636/
* pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29850604/
* pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27663473/
Q.
Leg Pain? Why Your Arteries Are Clogging & Medical Next Steps
A.
Leg pain that starts with walking and eases with rest often points to peripheral artery disease from plaque narrowing leg arteries, which cuts blood flow and raises heart and stroke risk. There are several factors to consider, including smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure or cholesterol, classic calf cramping with activity, and key tests like the ankle brachial index. Next steps include prompt medical evaluation, risk factor control and walking therapy, possible medications such as statins and antiplatelets, and procedures if needed, with urgent care for sudden severe pain, a cold pale leg, or nonhealing wounds; see the complete guidance below to choose the right path for your situation.
References:
* Hirsch AT, Treat-Jacobson D, Regensteiner JG, et al. Peripheral artery disease: epidemiology, mechanisms, and management. Vasc Med. 2017 Aug;22(4):307-321. doi: 10.1177/1358863X17709322. PMID: 28730999.
* Nordanstig J, Hulthe J. Atherosclerosis in peripheral artery disease. Ups J Med Sci. 2018 Jun;123(2):107-114. doi: 10.1080/02841851.2018.1477761. PMID: 29895240; PMCID: PMC6005572.
* Gerhard-Herman MD, Gornik HL, Barrett CE, et al. 2016 AHA/ACC Guideline on the Management of Patients With Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2017 Mar 21;135(12):e726-e779. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000471. PMID: 27840333; PMCID: PMC5477962.
* Aboyans V, Ricco JB, Bartelink MEL, et al. Diagnosis and management of peripheral artery disease: International Consensus Statement. Eur J Prev Cardiol. 2023 Dec 22:zwad448. doi: 10.1093/eurjpc/zwad448. PMID: 38133502.
* Alzahrani A, Alzahrani S, Alkhalifah M, Alqarni A, Alshuaibi A, Alghamdi A, Alaboud Z. Risk factors for peripheral artery disease: A systematic review. J Taibah Univ Med Sci. 2021 Oct;16(5):713-722. doi: 10.1016/j.jtumed.2021.01.006. PMID: 34659092; PMCID: PMC8498522.
Q.
How dangerous is stopping aspirin suddenly?
A.
Stopping aspirin suddenly can be risky, as it may increase the chance of heart problems or strokes. See below to understand more.
References:
Doutremepuich C, Aguejouf O, Desplat V, & Eizayaga FX. (2013). Aspirin discontinuation syndromes: clinical implications of .... American journal of cardiovascular drugs : drugs, devices, and other interventions, 24045958.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24045958/
Maulaz AB, Bezerra DC, Michel P, & Bogousslavsky J. (2005). Effect of discontinuing aspirin therapy on the risk of brain .... Archives of neurology, 16087761.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16087761/
Patel S, Conover MM, Joodi G, Chen S, Simpson RJ Jr, & Deyo ZM. (2018). Medication Use in Women and Men With Sudden .... The Annals of pharmacotherapy, 29652176.
Q.
Why do I bruise easily when taking blood thinners?
A.
Blood thinners make it easier to bruise because they prevent blood from clotting quickly, which can lead to more bleeding under the skin. See below to understand more.
References:
Kallas PG, Zalinger M, Sliwa JA, & Eskandari MK. (2022). Anticoagulant-Related Intramuscular Hematomas in an .... American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation, 34483262.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34483262/
Essebag V, Healey JS, Joza J, Nery PB, Kalfon E, Leiria TLL, et al. (2019). Combined Analysis of BRUISE CONTROL 1 and 2. Circulation. Arrhythmia and electrophysiology, 31610718.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31610718/
Schafer AI. (1995). Effects of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs on platelet .... Journal of clinical pharmacology, 7608308.
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Sasaki H, Konisi K. [Pathophysiology and diagnosis for arteriosclerosis obliterans]. Rinsho Byori. 2002 Aug;50(8):802-6. Japanese. PMID: 12373817.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12373817/Ono K. MicroRNA-133a in the Development of Arteriosclerosis Obliterans. J Atheroscler Thromb. 2015;22(4):342-3. doi: 10.5551/jat.ED006. Epub 2015 Feb 27. PMID: 25740337.
https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jat/22/4/22_ED006/_articleTakahashi K. [Basic research and drug development for arteriosclerosis obliterans]. Nihon Yakurigaku Zasshi. 2007 Nov;130(5):393-7. Japanese. doi: 10.1254/fpj.130.393. PMID: 18000354.
https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/fpj/130/5/130_5_393/_article/-char/ja/SELIGMAN B. Arteriosclerosis obliterans; an epitome. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1959 Feb;7(2):161-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1959.tb01061.x. PMID: 13630689.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1532-5415.1959.tb01061.x