About Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) • Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)
By Kevin on
Name of the medical condition and other names that it’s been known by
Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)
What is Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)?
Peripheral arterial disease (PAS) is sometimes called peripheral vascular disease (PVD), but PAD is more specific to artery problems. We'll focus on PAD in this explanation. PAD (Peripheral Artery Disease) is a problem with blood flow in the arteries, mainly in the legs. It's caused by atherosclerosis, which is when fatty deposits called plaque build up inside the artery walls. This buildup makes the arteries narrow and stiff. As a result, less blood can flow through, which means less oxygen gets to the muscles and tissues in the legs.
PAD is serious because it can lead to other health problems. It's a sign that atherosclerosis might also happen in other parts of your body, not just your legs. This increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. In severe cases of PAD, the reduced blood flow can cause infections in the legs or feet that don't heal well. If left untreated, it might even lead to amputation in the most serious cases.
Cause and Risk Factors of PAD
The main cause of PAD is atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of plaque in the arteries. Several risk factors can increase a person's chances of developing atherosclerosis and PAD. These include:
Smoking
Diabetes
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Being overweight
Not exercising enough
Being over 50 years old
Having a family history of heart disease
These factors don't directly cause PAD, but they make it more likely for a person to develop atherosclerosis, which leads to PAD. Some risk factors, like smoking or lack of exercise, can be changed. Others, like age or family history, can't be changed but are still essential to know about.
What are the symptoms?
The most common symptom is leg pain when walking, which goes away with rest. This is called intermittent claudication. Other signs include:
Skin that looks bluish or feels cold
Sores on the legs or feet that don't heal well
Weak pulse in the legs or feet
Hair loss on the legs
Not everyone with PAD has symptoms. Up to half of the people with this condition might not feel anything unusual.
How is it diagnosed?
Physical exam: The doctor checks pulses in your legs and feet
Ankle-brachial index (ABI): Compares blood pressure in your ankle to your arm
Ultrasound: Uses sound waves to see blood flow in your arteries
Angiography: Special X-ray that shows your blood vessels
Blood tests: Check for diabetes and high cholesterol
Treadmill test: Measures how far you can walk without pain
How is it treated?
Lifestyle changes: Stop smoking, exercise more, eat a healthy diet
Medications: To lower cholesterol, control blood pressure, or prevent blood clots
Exercise rehabilitation program: Guided walking programs to improve symptoms
Angioplasty: A procedure to open blocked arteries using a small balloon
Stenting: Placing a small tube in the artery to keep it open
Bypass surgery: Creating a new path for blood flow around the blocked artery
Trend
In the United States, about 8 to 12 million people have PAD
The number of cases has been increasing over the past five years
It's expected that more people will have PAD in the next five years as the population ages
History
PAD has been known for a long time, but it wasn't well understood until the 20th century. Previously, doctors thought leg pain was just a normal part of aging. In the 1950s, they started to realize it was a separate disease. Since then, we've learned much more about diagnosing and treating it. Today, doctors know that PAD is closely linked to heart disease and stroke, so they take it very seriously.
Source of Information
For informational purposes only. Consult a medical professional for advice.