Peripheral artery disease - legs: when to get help
Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.
1
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Call emergency services if a leg or foot suddenly becomes severely painful, cold, pale, numb, or weak.
Sudden loss of movement or sensation can mean an artery has become blocked.
Treatment is time-sensitive.
Chest pressure, sudden shortness of breath, facial drooping, arm weakness, or difficulty speaking may indicate a heart attack or stroke and also require emergency help.
Other emergency signs, for anyone
Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
2
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Get prompt medical advice if you have:
New pain in the foot while resting
A blister, cut, or sore that is not healing
Increasing redness, swelling, drainage, or bad smell around a wound
A toe or area of skin becoming blue, purple, or black
A rapid worsening of your usual walking symptoms
And for anyone, someone who:
is getting rapidly more short of breath, or has gained several pounds in a few days with swelling
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Arrange a routine appointment if you repeatedly develop calf, thigh, hip, or buttock discomfort when walking that settles with rest.
You should also seek assessment for one foot that is persistently colder, unexplained colour changes, or reduced walking ability.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Peripheral artery disease - legs. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.