PAD puts you at high risk of serious health problems. If you think that you are having symptoms of PAD, check with your provider. For the following conditions, call 9-1-1 right away. Every minute matters.
Acute limb ischemia
Acute limb ischemia is a medical emergency that must be treated rapidly to avoid amputation or other serious problems. Seek medical help right away if any of the following occur:
You cannot feel or move your foot.
Your leg or foot hurts or feels like “pins and needles” while resting.
One foot is paler or colder than the other.
Bloodstream infection
When bacteria enter the blood from an infected sore, they can cause a bloodstream infection. Symptoms include fever and chills. Intravenous (IV) antibiotics need to be given right away in a hospital.
If a blood infection is not treated in time, or if the immune system can’t control the infection, the body’s
inflammatory(in-FLA-muh-TOR-ee):
Having to do with inflammation (redness, swelling, pain, and a feeling of heat that helps protect tissues affected by injury or disease). response can lead to septic shock, which is dangerously low blood pressure; organ failure; or even death.
Bone infections
If you develop deep ulcers over bones, you are at risk for a bone infection called
. Symptoms include bone pain; excessive sweating; fever and chills; swelling, redness, pain, and warmth at the site of infection; and an open wound that may show pus.
Treatment includes antibiotics, surgery to remove infected bone, and procedures to improve blood flow. You may need to stay in the hospital for treatment.
Cellulitis
Cellulitis is a skin infection that can spread to the deep tissues of the skin and muscle. Symptoms include areas of the skin that are warm, swollen, and tender. Cellulitis can also cause fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, and blisters.
Your provider may prescribe antibiotics to take by mouth. If the infection gets worse or you get very sick, you may need to stay in the hospital for treatment.