Peripheral Artery Expert in Perumbakkam
Your Trusted Partner in Peripheral Artery Disease
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a vascular condition where arteries outside the heart and brain become narrowed or blocked, typically affecting the legs. We are here to provide you with top-notch care and guidance to tackle your problems.
Understanding Peripheral Artery
Causes of Peripheral Artery
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is primarily caused by atherosclerosis, a condition where arteries become narrowed or blocked due to the buildup of plaque. Key causes include:
- Atherosclerosis: Accumulation of cholesterol, fat, and other substances on arterial walls.
- Smoking: One of the most significant risk factors.
- Diabetes: Increases the risk of developing atherosclerosis.
- High Blood Pressure: Contributes to arterial damage.
- High Cholesterol: Elevated levels can lead to plaque formation.
- Age: Risk increases with age.
- Family History: Genetic factors can play a role.
- Obesity: Excess weight can contribute to vascular issues.
Addressing these risk factors through lifestyle changes and medical management is crucial in preventing and managing PAD.
How does peripheral artery disease affect my body?
The typical symptom of PAD is called claudication, a medical term for pain in your leg that starts with walking or exercise and goes away with rest. The pain occurs because your leg muscles aren’t getting enough oxygen.
The dangers of PAD extend well beyond difficulties in walking. Peripheral artery disease increases the risk of getting a nonhealing sore of your legs or feet. In cases of severe PAD, these sores can turn into areas of dead tissue (gangrene) that make it necessary to remove your foot or leg.
Symptoms of Peripheral Artery:
- Leg pain
- cramping
- weakness during activity
- pain at rest
- Non-healing sores on the legs
- potential complications like infections or ulcers
- Shiny skin on the legs
- Slower growth of the toenails
- Erectile dysfunction
Risk factors
Smoking or having diabetes greatly increases the risk of developing peripheral artery disease.Other things that increase the risk of peripheral artery disease include:
- A family history of peripheral artery disease, heart disease or stroke
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- High levels of an amino acid called homocysteine, which increase the risk for coronary artery disease
- Increasing age, especially after 65 (or after 50 if you have risk factors for atherosclerosis)
- Obesity (a body mass index over 30)
Complications
Complications of peripheral artery disease caused by atherosclerosis include:
- Critical limb ischemia: In this condition, an injury or infection causes tissue to die. Symptoms include open sores on the limbs that don’t heal. Treatment may include amputation of the affected limb.
- Stroke and heart attack: Plaque buildup in the arteries can also affect the blood vessels in the heart and brain.
Prevention
- Healthy Lifestyle: Adopt a heart-healthy diet, engage in regular exercise, and maintain a healthy weight.
- Quit Smoking: Smoking is a major risk factor for PAD; quitting can significantly reduce the risk.
- Control Diabetes: Proper management of blood sugar levels.
- Manage Blood Pressure and Cholesterol: Regular monitoring and control.
- Regular Check-ups: Routine medical check-ups to assess cardiovascular health.
Treatment
- Medications: Antiplatelet drugs, statins, and medications to manage symptoms.
- Lifestyle Changes: Adopting a heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, and smoking cessation.
- Angioplasty and Stent Placement: To open narrowed arteries.
- Peripheral Artery Bypass Surgery: For more severe cases.
- Exercise Therapy: Supervised exercise programs to improve walking ability.
Frequently Asked Question on Peripheral Artery
Yes, preventive measures include adopting a healthy lifestyle, managing risk factors like smoking and diabetes, and regular medical check-ups to assess cardiovascular health.
Diagnosis involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, imaging tests (like angiography), and blood tests to evaluate blood flow and vascular health.
Treatment may include medications, lifestyle changes, angioplasty with stent placement, peripheral artery bypass surgery for severe cases, and exercise therapy to improve walking ability.
Lifestyle changes, including a heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, and smoking cessation, are crucial components of managing PAD and improving overall vascular health.
PAD is mainly caused by atherosclerosis, where arteries become narrowed or blocked due to the buildup of plaque, often influenced by factors like smoking, diabetes, and high blood pressure.