High Blood Pressure and Leg Pain

One of the symptoms of high blood pressure can be leg pain and the name for this condition is called peripheral artery disease. This condition occurs when the arteries become narrowed due to plaque and the blood supply to the legs is hindered by this narrowing.

The lining of the arteries that supply the blood to the lower extremities are damaged by the cholesterol and lipids accumulating in the arteries, which is also known as plaque buildup in the arteries. This plaque buildup combined with scar tissue results in constricting the blood vessels. This is a condition that is known as daudication when not enough blood reaches the extremities.

The narrowing of the blood vessels and the limited supply of blood and oxygen reaching the extremities results in poor circulation that can cause leg cramps and pan. The pain and cramps usually occurs in the calves, but in some cases the pain can occur in the thighs and hips and in most cases occurs when walking. Walking is not the only time it is possible for these cramps and pain to happen when resting, which makes this a condition that can be a complication of high blood pressure that is debilitating.

There are other factors that can cause this condition putting the person with high blood pressure more at risk, and this can be from smoking, high cholesterol and diabetes. After a diagnosis of atherosclerosis it is important to manage blood pressure properly with medication, diet and exercise. When the blood pressure is not managed properly it can cause the heart to work even harder to supply blood to the extremities.