Circulation Assessment

Common cardiac risk factors include hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol levels, smoking, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, family history of heart disease, and age.

Hypertension can affect circulation by causing the heart to work harder to pump blood throughout the body. This increased blood pressure also can damage blood vessels, narrowing and reducing blood flow to organs and tissues.

Signs and symptoms of PAD include leg pain or cramping during activity (claudication), numbness or weakness in the legs, coldness in the lower leg or foot, sores or ulcers on the legs or feet that won't heal, and changes in the color or texture of the skin on the legs or feet.