When the arteries that bring blood to our limbs become narrowed or blocked, we suffer from peripheral artery disease. Atherosclerosis most frequently manifests in the leg arteries. The moderate leg pain that might be a symptom of this heart ailment is frequently written off as inevitable aging. It is crucial to raise people’s understanding of PAD so that those over the age of 60 will undergo screenings and adopt preventative measures and Davenport peripheral arterial disease can help.
Why Do Some People Get PAD And Others Do Not?
Plaque buildup in the peripheral arteries, which carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body, is the root cause of peripheral artery disease (PAD). Fatty deposits serve as the plaque’s main component. High cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and smoking all play a role in the development of these fat deposits. You are more likely to acquire PAD if your close relative already suffers from arterial disease. However, the state of your arteries is significantly affected by factors including food and activity.
Can You Describe The Signs of PAD?
Leg pain after exercise, leg numbness, and foot and toe numbness are the most prevalent PAD symptoms. Skin that is icy or bluish, glossy, and hair loss are further indications. Having an ulcer or wound on your foot that does not start healing after four weeks is the most concerning sign of peripheral arterial disease.
How Do Doctors Identify And Treat PAD?
Your doctor may suggest PAD by measuring your pulse or seeing a wound that will not heal. The Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) is the gold standard for diagnostic testing. Ankle and arm blood pressure are measured before and after a moderate walk, and the results are compared. Ultrasound can sometimes help doctors find clogged arteries.
The first step in treating PAD is making positive adjustments to one’s lifestyle, such as giving up smoking, cutting back on weight, increasing physical activity, and modifying one’s diet to include less saturated fat and more fiber and good fats. Blood vessel dilation medication may be administered. Angioplasty, stents, and bypass surgery are some of the surgical innovations that may be required in more serious instances.
Is Wound Healing Affected by Peripheral Arterial Disease?
Because of the impaired ability of oxygen-rich blood to reach wounded tissue in the legs and feet, people with PAD are more likely to sustain leg and foot wounds that fail to heal. PAD causes 10%-30% of all lower extremity ulcers. Patients with PAD who have wounds must receive appropriate care to hasten their recovery, shield them from infection, and keep them out of the hospital.