How does peripheral arterial disease affect someone?

Lowers blood flow: It depends on location. It depends on degree of blockage. Whether upper or lower limbs, carotid will have different signs and symptoms. Common from carotid: TIA or stroke from legs: limited walking distance or claudication-pain in calves. Arms fatigue with repeat motions.

Calfs hurt when walk: Peripheral artery disease causes blockages in the leg arteries that supply blood to the muscles used in walking. This causes the calfs to get tight and heavy and to hurt when walking. In more advanced cases as arteries become totally blocked in more than one level the disease may lead to complete loss of circulation and gangrene or amputation. Early diagnosis and treatment can avoid this.