Peripheral Artery Disease
When there is excessive build-up of plaque in the arterial walls, it results in peripheral artery disease. Plaque consists of fatty substances and other substances such as cholesterol, calcium, fibrin and platelets. Over time, this leads to narrowing of the arteries, which is known as atherosclerosis. When the arteries become narrow due to atherosclerosis, it results in peripheral artery disease or PAD.
Overview
Peripheral artery disease, or PAD, is a condition that occurs as a result of atherosclerosis. In medical terms, PAD is known as arteriosclerosis. This is the most common cause of heart failure in the world. Apart from causing heart failure, PAD also damages the arteries and reduces blood supply to the limbs.
Symptoms
Some of symptoms of PAD include the following:
- Leg pain or cramping during activities such as walking or climbing stairs
- Numbness or weakness in the legs
- Coldness in the feet or legs
- Sores on the skin of the legs and/or feet that don’t seem to heal at all
- Loss of hair on the legs
- Color alterations in the areas around legs
If you have any of the following symptoms, it is important to see a doctor right away. PAD is often a sign of other serious health conditions, so it is important to get a diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible.
Causes
There are many potential causes of PAD, but the most common is atherosclerosis. This is the same process that can cause heart attacks and strokes. Other potential causes include diabetes, smoking, and high blood pressure. If you have PAD, it’s important to manage the underlying causes. This can help to improve symptoms and reduce your risk of serious complications, such as amputation. Treatment typically involves lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking and exercising more.
Risk Factors
The risk factors for developing PAD are age, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Other aspects that increase the risk of having PAD are age, family history and obesity. People who have these risk factors should avoid getting PAD by sticking to a healthy lifestyle. In medical terms, PAD is called atherosclerosis. When there is excessive build-up of plaque in the arterial walls, it results in peripheral artery disease. In addition, it’s important to note that some diseases such as cancer and HIV can also damage the arteries. You may also need medication to manage risk factors, such as high blood pressure.
Complications
PAD can cause heart failure in numerous ways. Apart from abnormal blood circulation to the limbs, PAD also damages the valves in the heart. This results in abnormal blood circulation and inflammation in the heart valves. Complications of PAD include Critical-limb-ischemia, strokes & heart attacks.
Prevention
PAD can be prevented by avoiding risky behaviors such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. In addition, doctors advise a diet based on fish and vegetables; exercise regularly; and control blood sugar levels through medications and regular checkups with your doctor. Patients who already have symptoms can include compression stockings to reduce limb swelling and cholesterol-lowering drugs to reduce inflammation in the vessels.
Treatment
Doctors have come up with many treatments for PAD, including medications, invasive procedures and lifestyle changes. Some of these treatments include high-blood pressure checkups and medications for high blood pressure as well as compression stockings to reduce limb swelling. Also, a diet based on fish and vegetables; exercise; and control blood sugar levels through medications and regular checkups with your doctor helps people maintain healthy lifestyles on which treatment for PAD relies.
Contact Dr. Arun
If you have symptoms of peripheral artery disease (PAD), it is important to see a doctor and get treated. PAD is a common condition that occurs when the arteries in your body become narrowed or blocked. This can cause problems with blood flow to your legs and feet. You can contact Dr. Arun for the best medical advice, assistance and treatment.
