Peripheral Artery Disease

[Mhodgkiss]

Suffering from leg cramps, worried it might be peripheral arterial disease. Had heart attack 3 yrs ago. Ironic after I’m on statins etc.. , improved diet, and do more exercise. I’m 60. Anyone else been through this?

[Carokai]

I don't think it is uncommon to suffer from Leg Cramps, particularly if you are on a range of Heart meds. I certainly do.

I eat a Banana every morning and take Magnesium. That resolves the issue. In hot weather I find that one Magnesium tablet a day may not be enough and just take one night and morning.

[LenC]

Hi, do you take any other medication for your condition? Statins are a problem drug for most. It's a "Dammed if you do, dammed if you don't" scenario. I've had drug eruptions (urticaria) and the statin medication was changed from simvastatin to rostuvastatin. Drugs.com is quite helpful to research your meds.

Currently I am active at a physical job but find climbing stairs and walking rapidly difficult,

as I also take inhibitors and beta blockers.

Check for pulse, ankle/ feet, if you have a strong pulse you should be safe and it may just be tired legs causing cramps, but don't ignore the statins, it has been proven to cause muscle & joint pain.

And the obvious, see your GP.

Good health.

[Mhodgkiss in reply to LenC]

Thank you. I’m on 80mg artovastatin, plus losartan, bisoprolol, aspirin

Have booked to see GP. It’s just that the symptoms seem to fit peripheral Artery Disease. Calves hurt after 20 mins walking then quickly subside after resting. I’m not overweight and have a reasonably healthy diet. What’s magnesium supplement supposed to do?

[LenC in reply to Mhodgkiss]

The Magnesium came from Carokai. I would advise not to take supplements when on your meds unless prescribed by your GP. Some supplements may adversly effect the absorption of your cronic meds.

[Hayley765]

I have P.A.D it is usually a blockage in an artery. mine is in my buttock as the iliac artery is blocked. They do not like doing the surgery so i am on an exercise program, mostly walking through the pain as much as possible it does flippin hurt a lot like cramp in the effected muscle. My pain spreads to the thigh then calf into foot which will then go numb i have to stop then as i can not feel my foot

[Speakeazi in reply to Hayley765]

Keep going with the walking. It does get better. We must all encourage one another. I love it when someone who understands says to me “well you’ve just got to walk every day”. So matter of fact. It helps. 🚶🏻‍♀️🚶🏻‍♀️🚶🏻‍♀️🚶🏻‍♀️🚶🏻‍♀️🚶🏻‍♀️🚶🏻‍♀️🚶🏻‍♀️

[Speakeazi]

Sounds v familiar to me! I have PAD and one of the defining features is intermittent claudication. Walk , calf pain, pause, pain goes, walk, pain returns.

You must check it out with GP

and see a specialist if you can. Ask for an ultrasound scan to assess the extent of it if you are diagnosed with it.

I am on medication for a heart issue which helps and the only treatment I have is Walking every day and exercise esp on the exercise bike.

A year later, I can walk further, lost lots of weight just by eating healthily.

Let us know when you’ve been to the GP.

Lots of support on here. Really helped me.

All the best

Sara