Why Does My Leg Hurt at Night?

You’re lying in bed, resting, and your calves start cramping. You stand up, walk around, and feel better. But it happens often. 

You may think the issue results from something you did earlier in the day or week, but the expert providers at Heart & Vascular Institute see patients with leg pain every day.

We’ve put together this post about how leg pain at night and cardiovascular disease are associated, and we encourage you to talk to your provider about your leg pain. 

Atherosclerosis is the beginning

Atherosclerosis, when blood vessels have a buildup of plaque, narrows and stiffens the vessels so that blood has a harder time getting through. If you have atherosclerosis, you likely have high blood pressure and possibly peripheral artery disease. 

PAD and leg pain

Peripheral artery disease, or PAD, is when the blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to your legs have plaque in them. 

One of the earliest symptoms of PAD is pain in your legs when you walk or climb stairs — when your muscles demand extra blood flow. They’re working hard, but the blood can’t get through your narrowed vessels efficiently.

Over time, the pain can also appear when you’re at rest. This pain (claudication) can lead to severe complications such as lesions or sores on your feet or lower legs that won’t heal, blood clots, or even heart attacks. 

What you can do

Lifestyle interventions can help (and also benefit your overall health). For example, if you smoke, quitting can improve the health of your blood vessels and the rest of your body. 

Exercise can help, and one of the most beneficial forms of exercise for people with PAD is also one of the simplest: walking. Moderate exercise is good for your heart and your blood vessels, and usually for your mood. 

Treatment for PAD

Lowering your cholesterol and getting your blood pressure in check may involve lifestyle interventions, like smoking cessation, exercise, or adjusting your diet, and medications. 

In some cases, the best treatment is angioplasty, a procedure that improves blood flow. Your doctor may also suggest another type of surgery to open your blocked blood vessel. 

Get expert help

Advanced atherosclerosis puts you at a high risk for serious complications, like heart attack. If you experience frequent leg pain at night, schedule an appointment by phone or online today at one of our five Heart & Vascular Institute locations in Michigan.

We can perform diagnostic testing to make sure your blood is flowing well and provide treatment if it’s not.