I went to see a Vascular Surgeon yesterday due to leg pain when walking and climbing stairs. I was told that leg pulses were good and 98% sure it was not PAD although advised to have a scan due to Microvascular angina and Vasospastic angina. Is there any point having the scan? Can leg pain be due to menopause? Can Microvascular disease cause pain in legs when walking despite normal pulses. Would be grateful to hear from anyone who has experience with similar issues. Not sure what to do and don't wish to waste anyone's time.
With many thanks,
Written by
Mutley20
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Good morning Mutley20. I am now 82 and had aching calves on climbing stairs or walking uphill for many years only to be told by every doctor I mentioned it to that my pulses were fine. Finally, I lost patience, became more demanding about it, and was eventually referred to a vascular surgeon who confirmed with an ultrasound that there was nothing wrong with the circulation in my legs. He suggested I could have spinal stenosis and recommended an MRI which confirmed his opinion. There is apparently not a lot that can be done about it, and at my age I don't want surgery. I also have osteoarthritis in my lumbar spine which caused low back pain when walking on the level. I have found chiropractic treatment very helpful for both.I suggest you ask your doctor about spinal stenosis.
Very many thanks for your message. Very helpful. The surgeon is convinced it is not PAD but suggests I have the ultrasound to make sure. I think my best bet is to try a Chiropractor as you have.
It is very reassuring to hear how others have dealt with issues such as this.
Hi, like you I am getting quite severe pain in my left calf and wondered if it was PAD. I've mentioned it twice to my GP but he didn't seem interested in looking at it. I have experienced pain in my buttock at the same time, so looking it up on Google it suggests Sciatica. Just keeping an eye on it for now.
Many thanks for your message. I do hope things improve for you and you get the help required. I am going to get an ultrasound next week which I am sure will come back normal. Take care,
Hi Grayjay I do have PAD and it took years to get diagnosed. Please don’t give up asking until you get an ultrasound scan to rule it out. For some reason Drs are happy to refer to cardiologists but seem not to recognise vascular disease. I don’t fit the profile, female, 54 at diagnosis, non smoker, reasonable cholesterol etc etc. Pursue the Dr for a referral. Good luck.
Can I ask did you have normal pulses in your legs? I am the same age as you and have normal cholesterol, non smoker, etc. However, the pain and numbness is worse when I walk, climb stairs, etc. I am now walking a lot less as a result. I have an Ultrasound this week but the vascular surgeon told me that if pulses good then the chances of having PAD are very small. Thanks,
Hi I tried to reply, I was speakeasi but something went v wrong with my HealthUnlocked app. How did you get on? FYI I did not have normal pulses in my legs or ankle.
Hi,Thanks for your message. Ultrasound normal. It may be due to micro vascular issues. I dread stairs and look like a 90 year old going up them. The solution is more drugs but rather reluctant. I might try Turmeric which I believe can help with muscle pain. I hope you are OK and getting the help you need. Take care.
Hi Mutley. Please don't think you're wasting anyone's time. If you're in pain, you want to find out what's causing it, or it will take over your life. Take whatever tests are offered. My feet have gradually become part numb, part hyper-sensitive since my HA 3 years ago, and only now are the docs taking me seriously enough to try to find what's causing it. Like you, my cardiologist doesn't think it's PAD, but he's referring me for neurological tests.
Hello Alison. You could have been diabetic for some time before diagnosis. I was told that the average can be 7 years before symptoms before noticeable.
As far as I know my Hba1c was fine before, but Jan 20 the level was 48, Dec 20 it was 49, and April 21 it was 50. GP & cardio don't think my foot problems are diabetes related, and neither do I, as they started getting bad as my HF nurse uptitrated all my heart meds. The only other diabetic type symptom, that has only come on in the last year, is wounds being very slow to heal.
Many thanks for your message. I have an ultrasound booked for this week. I am sure it will be normal but you are right better to be able to rule it out as the cause rather than not know. I hope the medics are able to sort you out soon and find the cause. Take care and many thanks again.
Only asking as I'm an insulin dependent diabetic and for years my feet were fine, then over a period of time, the numbness started . . was told that the damage to the nerves could have started way before the actual date of the diagnosis for diabetes, that's why I was wondering.Hopefully, the Nerologist can run some tests and find what's causing you to have issues.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Microvascular angina symptoms 
Are there tests for blocked arteries? 
Neucleaur stress test
