Arm Artery Disease

Also known as arm arterial disease, arm claudication, steal syndrome, peripheral vascular disease, upper extremity arterial disease

Dr. Ellen D. Dillavou

Arm artery disease is rare, and usually indicates other health issues. Typically, blockages in your arm arteries occur when blood clots float there from your heart or from an injured artery within your chest.

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The information contained on Vascular.org is not intended, and should not be relied upon, as a substitute for medical advice or treatment. It is very important that individuals with specific medical problems or questions consult with their doctor or other health care professional.
This image is a graphic of a left arm. The arm shows the arteries, in order from shoulder to wrist, 'Axillary artery,' 'Brachial artery,' 'Ulnar artery', 'Radial Artery'. The image shows a pop-out closeup of the artery narrowed by plaque.
The information contained on Vascular.org is not intended, and should not be relied upon, as a substitute for medical advice or treatment. It is very important that individuals with specific medical problems or questions consult with their doctor or other health care professional.

Condition Information

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SymptomsBack to top

Severe Pain and Numbness in the Hands

These symptoms may indicate a fresh blood clot in the arm, which is a medical emergency. Call 911 if you have these symptoms.

Painful or Numb Hands or Fingers

  • Coldness and numbness followed by tingling or stinging pain in your fingers may signal Raynaud’s Disease that is linked to a disorder in your arm arteries.
  • A dialysis access fistula or graft may take blood away from your hand (steal syndrome), resulting in hand pain or numbness.

Forearm Cramping or Sores That Won’t Heal

These are additional symptoms of arterial disease in the arm.

This image is a graphic of three left hands stacked vertically. The top hand's finger tips are white. the middle hand's fingertips are purple, the bottom hand's fingertips are red.
CausesBack to top

Arterial disease of the arm can be caused by atherosclerosis, autoimmune diseases, complications from dialysis access or by blood clots that float out from the heart (embolism).

DiagnosisBack to top

See a Vascular Surgeon

You will be asked questions about symptoms and medical history, including questions about family members. The vascular surgeon will also perform a physical exam that will likely include taking blood pressure readings in your fingers.

Tests May Be Recommended

A duplex ultrasound can aid diagnosis. If more information is needed, a CT scan or angiogram may be recommended.

TreatmentsBack to top

Treatment Depends on the Source of Symptoms

  • Atherosclerotic blockages can be treated with angioplasty, stenting or surgical bypass
  • Autoimmune conditions are usually treated with medicines. 
  • A fresh clot in the arm is treated with lysis (thrombolytic therapy) to break up blood clots, or with open surgery to extract the clots.
  • If the lack of blood flow is due to dialysis access, there are a variety of procedures to increase hand blood flow and possibly preserve the fistula or graft.
Staying HealthyBack to top
  • Avoiding smoking. If you do smoke, ask your vascular surgeon to help you find a smoking cessation program that will work for you.
  • Keep your cholesterol down.
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • If you have a heart arrhythmia like atrial fibrillation, it is important to take blood thinners if prescribed by your doctor.
Additional ResourcesBack to top

Have more specific questions about Arm Artery Disease?

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Have more specific questions about Arm Artery Disease?

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