Legs in bed

Most of the time, the NHS says, late-night spasm in your calves is normal.

Per the health service, “Leg cramps are common, usually harmless, and only last a short time.”

They add that the phenomenon usually happens at night and can be caused by everything from ageing to changes in the weather.

But sometimes, vascular surgeon Dr Rema Malik shared on Instagram, “That 3 AM jolt from a searing leg cramp [is] more than just a bad night’s sleep for your parents.”

Among older people in particular, she said, the “frequently dismissed” symptom can be “a critical warning sign” from your vascular, or blood vessel, system.

Here are two conditions she said could lead to the symptom:

1) Peripheral artery disease (PAD)

This happens when a buildup of fatty deposits prevents blood from getting to the leg muscles.

It doesn’t always have symptoms, but it can result in an ache in one or both legs – especially while walking after rest – because, as Dr Malik wrote, the blockages........

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