Peripheral Vascular Disease
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is the accumulation of plaque in your leg arteries. Your leg arteries transport oxygenated, nutrient-rich blood from your heart to your arms and legs. Other terms for this include peripheral vascular disease and peripheral arterial disease. Arteries are hollow tubes with a smooth lining that avoids blood clotting and facilitates consistent blood flow. When you develop peripheral artery disease, plaque (composed of fat, cholesterol, and other chemicals) progressively accumulates inside your arterial walls. Slowly, this narrows your arteries. This is also referred to as atherosclerosis.
Many plaque deposits are firm on the exterior yet soft inside. The hard surface can crack or tear, enabling platelets (disc-shaped particles in blood that aid in clotting) to enter the area. Blood clots can form around the plaque, further narrowing the artery.
Symptoms
The symptoms of peripheral artery disease are as follows:
- A burning or aching sensation in your feet and toes while resting, particularly at night when lying flat.
- You have cool skin on your feet.
- Redness or other color changes on your skin.
- More frequent skin and soft tissue infections (usually in the feet or legs).
- Toe and foot sores that will not heal.
Causes
Peripheral arterial disease is caused by atherosclerosis that develops in the arteries of the legs or, less usually, the arms. Peripheral vascular disease is caused by a buildup of fatty plaque in the walls of your blood vessels, similar to atherosclerosis in your heart arteries. Your blood vessels narrow as plaque accumulates, eventually becoming blocked.
Diagnosis
A physical exam will be performed, followed by a discussion of your medical history and risk factors. They may prescribe noninvasive tests to diagnose and assess the severity of PAD. These tests can help detect a blockage in a blood vessel:
- Ankle-brachial index (ABI).
- Pulse volume recording (PVR).
- Vascular ultrasound.
Treatment
A healthcare expert will examine you to determine whether you have peripheral artery disease (PAD). You are frequently asked about your symptoms and medical history. Blood tests, ankle-brachial index (ABI), leg or foot ultrasound, and angiography can all be used to diagnose or rule out peripheral arterial disease (PAD).
The objectives of treatment for peripheral artery disease (PAD) are:
- Manage symptoms like leg pain to make exercise more comfortable.
- Improve artery health to lower your risk of heart attack, stroke, and other complications.
Treatment for peripheral artery disease may include:
- Lifestyle changes.
- Medicine.
- Surgery.
Lifestyle changes can help improve symptoms, especially if you have early peripheral artery disease. Such changes include:
- Don’t smoke or use tobacco.
- Get regular exercise.
- Eat a healthy diet.
Medications
Statins, blood pressure medications, diabetes medications, blood clot-prevention medications, and leg pain medications are all possible treatments for peripheral artery disease.
Surgeries or other procedures
Sometimes a surgery or procedure is required to treat peripheral artery disease (PAD) or its symptoms.
- Thrombolytic therapy.
- Angioplasty and stent placement.
- Bypass surgery.
Prevention
Knowing that you are at risk for PAD may inspire you to take preventative measures. The same advice for keeping your heart healthy also applies to caring for your circulation.
- Manage your weight.
- Follow a low-fat, low-sugar diet that includes at least five servings of fresh fruits and vegetables per day.
- Do not use tobacco products.
- With your doctor’s permission, exercise for at least 30 minutes per day on most days of the week.
Conclusion
The most effective method to prevent PAD is to manage risk factors and live a healthy lifestyle. Quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, managing diabetes and cholesterol, and staying physically active are all important steps toward preventing PAD. Regular check-ups with a healthcare professional can help detect PAD early, allowing for more rapid intervention and better outcomes.
