What symptom typically indicates late-stage arterial disease?

Progressive rest pain is a key symptom that indicates late-stage arterial disease. This condition occurs when there is severely compromised blood flow due to significantly narrowed or blocked arteries. As arterial disease progresses, patients often experience pain in their limbs, particularly at rest, which can indicate that the blood supply is insufficient to meet the metabolic demands of tissues. This type of pain typically occurs in the feet or toes and may worsen when the patient is in a supine position, as gravity influences blood flow dynamics.

In earlier stages of arterial disease, symptoms might include claudication, which is muscle pain or cramping that occurs during physical activity but usually alleviates with rest. However, as the disease advances and blood flow diminishes even further, symptoms transition to rest pain, highlighting a more critical reduction in blood supply. Other symptoms like a pale extremity or a swollen leg can result from a variety of vascular issues, not specifically indicating late-stage arterial disease. Thus, progressive rest pain serves as a more direct marker of advanced ischemia and worsening arterial health.