Table of contents:
- Definition
- What is peripheral arterial disease?
- How common is peripheral arterial disease?
- Signs & symptoms
- What are the signs and symptoms of peripheral arterial disease?
- When should I see a doctor?
- Cause
- What causes peripheral arterial disease?
- Risk factors
- What increases my risk for peripheral arterial disease?
- Medicines & Medicines
- What are my treatment options for peripheral arterial disease?
- What are the usual tests for peripheral arterial disease?
- Home remedies
- What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be used to treat peripheral arterial disease?
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Definition
What is peripheral arterial disease?
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a condition in which plaque builds up in the arteries that supply blood to the brain, organs, and limbs. Plaque is formed from fat, cholesterol, calcium, fiber and other substances in the blood.
A condition in which plaque builds up inside the arteries is called atherosclerosis. Over time, this plaque will clot and narrow the arteries. This can limit the flow of oxygen in the blood to other organs and parts of the body.
PAD often affects the arteries of the legs, but it can also affect the arteries that carry blood from the heart to the head, arms, kidneys, and stomach.
How common is peripheral arterial disease?
This health condition is common for both men and women. You can overcome this disease by reducing risk factors. Consult your doctor for more information.
Signs & symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of peripheral arterial disease?
Half of the PAD patients do not have any symptoms. Common symptoms are pain, cramps, aches, and stiffness in the affected area. Other symptoms include feeling uncomfortable, cold, pale or a pulse that can't be felt in the legs, pain or ulcers that won't heal. Leg aches and cramps often appear during physical procedures and will improve with rest. If the artery becomes blocked, your leg becomes very painful and you can't move. Men can suffer from impotence if the blood vessels that flow to the genitals become blocked.
Some of the other symptoms or signs may not be listed above. If you feel anxious about these symptoms, consult your doctor immediately.
When should I see a doctor?
Call your doctor if you have pain or stiffness in your legs.
Even if you don't experience PAD symptoms, you should go to your doctor if you have risk factors such as:
- Are over 70 years of age
- Age 50 years and over with diabetes or a hobby of smoking
- Under 50 years of age, but have diabetes or other risk factors for PAD such as obesity or high blood pressure
Cause
What causes peripheral arterial disease?
A common cause of PAD is atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a disease in which plaque builds up inside the arteries. However, the main cause of atherosclerosis has been found.
Risk factors
What increases my risk for peripheral arterial disease?
There are many risk factors for PAD, namely:
- Smoke
- Diabetes
- Obesity (body mass index over 30)
- High blood pressure (140/90 mm Hg or more)
- High cholesterol level in the blood (the amount of cholesterol in the blood is more than 240 mg / dL or 6.2 ml / l)
- Advanced age, especially over 50 years
- There are family members who have had PAD, heart disease or heart failure
- High levels of homocysteine (a protein that forms and maintains tissues in the body)
- Patients who smoke or diabetes have a higher risk of PAD because of low blood flow
Medicines & Medicines
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.
What are my treatment options for peripheral arterial disease?
The goals of treatment are to relieve pain and to prevent disease from developing. Doctors can prescribe drugs that increase blood flow to the periphery, prevent blood clots, dissolve blood clots, reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
In cases of severe narrowing of the arteries, doctors can use the angioplasty method. The doctor will insert the tube into the artery and blow a balloon inside the tube to open the narrowed artery. The doctor can put a kind of tube in the artery to keep it open.
In some cases, coronary artery bypass surgery is required to increase blood flow through the narrowed artery. In addition, doctors use an interventional percutaneous artery procedure by inserting a device into the heart arteries to remove the buildup of cholesterol. If peripheral arterial disease has reached an advanced stage, your limbs must be cut to prevent the spread of tissue putrefaction.
What are the usual tests for peripheral arterial disease?
Your doctor will diagnose your disease through a physical examination, medical history, blood tests after fasting, and ABI. The ABI is calculated by dividing the highest blood pressure measured at the ankle by the highest blood pressure at the arm. An ABI index that is less than 1 is abnormal.
Then the doctor will give further tests such as an ECG stress measurement, color ultrasound, arterial imaging with a contrast dye, vascular MRI to determine the severity of the disease.
Home remedies
What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be used to treat peripheral arterial disease?
The following lifestyle and home remedies may help treat PAD:
- Follow a healthy diet, low in fat (especially saturated fat) and salt. You should eat more fruits, vegetables and cereals
- Lose weight if you are overweight or obese
- Be more active. Walk 20-30 minutes each day
- Check blood sugar regularly to regulate sugar levels if you have diabetes
- Take care of your feet. Continue to observe the feet regularly, not to injure or burn them. See a doctor if you have boils
- The importance of lifestyle changes that can affect cholesterol levels, diabetes, hypertension and smoking
- Avoid smoking
If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.
