Peripheral arterial disease: Numbness or weakness in the legs may indicate it

The Mayo Clinic says if you have leg pain, numbness or other symptoms, don’t dismiss them as a normal part of ageing.

It says call your doctor and make an appointment. Even if you don’t have symptoms of peripheral artery disease, you may need to be screened.

For example, if you are over age 65, over age 50 and have a history of diabetes or smoking, or are under age 50 and have diabetes and other peripheral artery disease risk factors, such as obesity or high blood pressure.

It states: “People who smoke or have diabetes have the greatest risk of developing peripheral artery disease due to reduced blood flow.”