Outlook

If untreated, peripheral vascular disease can develop complications:

• Permanent numbness, tingling, or weakness in legs or feet
  
  
• Permanent burning or aching pain in legs or feet
  
  
• Gangrene: This is a very serious condition. It is the result of a leg or foot or other body part not getting enough blood. The tissues die and begin to decay. The only treatment is amputation of the affected body part.

People with peripheral vascular disease are at higher-than-normal risk of heart attack and stroke.