Healthy Heart – P A D Dangers

Coronary artery disease is a fairly well known condition. However, it has a cousin that is much less well known; peripheral artery disease. Both conditions can do the same things, become constricted by plaque and throw blood clots. One of the problems is that P.A. D. is harder to detect, particularly when it involves blood vessels deep in the legs.

Symptoms:

Many people with this disorder have few or no symptoms at all. However, some may occur especially as the problem progresses. Pain when walking, loss of hair on the legs, a reduction in toenail growth and shiny skin can all indicate P.A.D. Weak pulse in the legs and feet or cold skin in the region also may occur.

Causes:

The most common cause is hardening of the arteries. As mentioned above, most of the focus for this problem is on the heart, but it can and does affect every blood vessel in your body. As the plaque builds up, it restricts blood flow.

Injuries to your legs can also cause the problem, due this time at least in part to scarring. Other causes are rare, but include swelling in your blood vessels or oddities with your tendons and ligaments.

Your risk of developing this condition worsen with age, if you smoke or if you are diabetic. Overweight people are also at higher risk. Those with a family history of the condition have an increased chance.

What can happen:

Three major problems may occur if you have this condition, especially if it is untreated. You are at risk of losing the limb if circulation is slowed enough. A blood clot can finish the shut off of the artery, but it can also break loose. If that happens, chances are good that it will proceed to your heart, your brain and/or your lungs. If that happens, a heart attack, stroke or pulmonary embolism are probable.

What you can do:

Knowing you have the disorder is the first step to treating it. A variety of tests will probably be done, including an angiogram. Once it has been diagnosed, your doctor will give you a list of things to do and things to avoid.

You may find yourself on a whole battery of medications, depending on the cause. Blood thinners, blood pressure medications, cholesterol lowering drugs and some for pain are probable. If you are a diabetic, medications that lower blood sugar could be added.

If the problem is bad enough, you may require angioplasty or surgery. Angioplasty is done usually while you are a wake and through an incision in your groin. It will be threaded through your blood vessels until it gets to the problem area, where it will open it with a balloon. A stent may be placed in the artery to keep it open.

Lifestyle changes may also be required. Controlling your blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol levels will be required, so a new diet will be in order. Monitored exercise may also be recommended, probably through physical therapy.

This disorder is not well known, but it may be quietly harming many. If you are at risk, talk to your doctor about prevention methods. Finding it before it’s too late is the best way to remain healthy.

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