Peripheral Artery Disease Often Goes Undetected in Women, Researchers Warn

Peripheral artery disease is frequently overlooked in women despite its connection to serious cardiovascular complications, according to health experts examining differences in how the condition can appear and be diagnosed.

PAD occurs when plaque buildup restricts blood flow through arteries, most commonly affecting the legs. Although the condition affects women and men, women are less likely to receive a diagnosis and treatment, according to medical experts cited by The Washington Post.

One reason is that women do not always experience the classic symptoms associated with PAD. Men are more commonly recognized as having the condition when they develop pain or cramping in the legs while walking, a symptom known as intermittent claudication.

Women can experience different symptoms, including fatigue, numbness or weakness in the legs. Those symptoms may be attributed to aging, reduced activity or other conditions rather than being recognized as signs of a circulation problem.

The difference in symptom presentation can contribute to delayed diagnosis. When symptoms are not recognized as potentially related to blood-flow problems, patients may not seek evaluation and clinicians may be less likely to test specifically for PAD.

The condition matters because restricted blood flow in the legs can be an indication of broader vascular disease. People with PAD have an increased risk of cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke.

Women may face additional challenges in recognizing the condition because symptoms can overlap with common experiences associated with aging and menopause. Experts say this can contribute to the perception that leg fatigue or weakness is simply part of getting older.

The condition can affect people of different backgrounds, but experts have highlighted particularly significant disparities affecting Black women. Differences in diagnosis, treatment and underlying risk factors can influence outcomes.

Several established risk factors are associated with PAD, including smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and age. These factors can contribute to the buildup of plaque inside arteries and the resulting reduction in blood flow.

A simple clinical examination can help identify possible PAD. One commonly used assessment is the ankle-brachial index, which compares blood pressure measured at the ankle with blood pressure measured at the arm.

Early identification is important because PAD is not simply a condition affecting the legs. Its presence can indicate a broader problem involving the cardiovascular system.

Health experts emphasize that women should not automatically dismiss persistent leg symptoms as a normal part of aging. Symptoms such as unexplained weakness, numbness or recurring fatigue can have many possible causes, but persistent changes can warrant medical evaluation.

The broader issue is one of recognition. Women have historically been underrepresented in some areas of cardiovascular research, and differences in how cardiovascular disease appears in women have sometimes contributed to delays in diagnosis.

PAD provides another example of why symptoms can vary between individuals. A lack of the classic walking-related pain does not necessarily mean that circulation is normal.

The condition also demonstrates the connection between vascular health and overall health. Arteries supply blood throughout the body, so problems affecting circulation in one area can provide information about cardiovascular risk elsewhere.

For women and families, greater awareness of PAD can help make conversations about persistent circulation-related symptoms more informed. The purpose is not to assume that a particular symptom indicates PAD, but to recognize that the condition can appear differently from the traditional presentation often described in medical information.

The latest discussion reinforces the importance of recognizing cardiovascular disease in women as a distinct area of healthcare. PAD can affect women as well as men, but differences in symptoms and diagnosis can leave some women without timely recognition.

As researchers and clinicians continue examining these disparities, improved awareness and appropriate screening may help address the gap between the number of women affected by PAD and the number who are diagnosed and treated.