What is vascular pain?
Vascular pain is discomfort caused by issues with your circulation. If you experience unexplained leg pain or heaviness, it could be vascular pain. It usually affects your lower legs or ankles, although it may also affect your arms or hands.
Another name for vascular pain that affects your legs is vascular claudication. Vascular pain is less common in your arms, but it still affects around 1 in 10 people who have vascular pain.
What does vascular pain feel like?
Vascular pain often feels like an uncomfortable heaviness or throbbing sensation. It can also feel like an aching sensation. It usually affects your legs and can be worse with walking or exerting yourself.
Who is most likely to experience vascular pain?
People with vascular diseases are most likely to experience vascular pain. Vascular diseases are more common in adults over 50 and people who:
- Are pregnant.
- Have a family history of vascular disease.
- Have obesity.
- Have other conditions that affect their blood vessels, such as diabetes or high blood pressure (hypertension).
- Live a sedentary (low activity) lifestyle.
- Sit or stand for long periods.
- Smoke.
