A lack of blood flow to the legs can cause chronic pain while walking. The pain tends to occur in the same area of the leg, is relieved by resting for a few minutes, and then recurs at about the same distance when the walking is resumed -- a disorder called "claudication." It is often associated with a history of smoking or diabetes.

The diagnosis of such peripheral vascular disease is made by physical examination by a vascular surgeon and an arterial Doppler test, a simple blood pressure measurement performed at various positions on the leg. This noninvasive test can be completed in NYU Medical Center's Noninvasive Vascular Laboratory.

Treatment of peripheral vascular disease often includes exercise and medication. Occasionally, further testing such as angiograms must be performed to pinpoint any areas of blockage in the arteries. These blockages can then be treated by balloon angioplasty or the placement of stents in the arteries, which facilitate blood flow. Depending on the nature of the blockage, surgical bypass may be necessary, and is also available at NYU Medical Center.

NYU Resources

Cardiac Rehabilitation and Prevention Center

Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery

Minimally Invasive Leg Bypass Surgery

Noninvasive Vascular Laboratory

Other Resources on the Web

American Heart Association

Society of Interventional Radiology

Society for Vascular Surgery

Vascular Web Patient Information