definition for: #PADawareness

Peripheral arterial disease often refers to the lack of arterial circulation in the legs and feet, and less commonly refers to the same issue in the arms and hands. Similar to a heart attack, symptoms of PAD include muscle cramping and pain due to lack of oxygen carried by blood. Unfortunately, it is more likely for these symptoms to go unrecognized because they are passed off as "normal" aches and pains or as arthritis. This lack of awareness can eventually lead to critical limb ischemia, non-healing wounds and major amputation of the limb.