Peripheral Arterial Disease

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a condition that affects the arteries in your legs and feet. It happens when fatty deposits (plaque) build up inside the arteries, narrowing them and reducing blood flow to your limbs. PAD is a serious condition that can lead to leg pain, cramping, and even amputation if left untreated.

Causes

PAD is caused by atherosclerosis, the same process that causes heart disease and stroke. The main risk factors for PAD include:

Smoking
Diabetes
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Obesity
Family history of PAD

Symptoms

The most common symptom of PAD is leg pain that occurs when you walk (claudication). The pain typically feels like cramping, tightness, or achiness in your calves, thighs, or buttocks. The pain usually goes away after you rest for a few minutes.

Other symptoms of PAD can include:

Leg weakness or numbness
Coldness in your feet and toes
Sores on your toes or feet that don’t heal
Changes in the color of your skin
Slow hair growth on your legs and feet

Diagnosis

PAD can be diagnosed with a variety of tests, including:

Ankle-brachial index (ABI): This test compares the blood pressure in your ankle to the blood pressure in your arm.
Toe pressure test: This test measures the blood pressure in your toes.
Doppler ultrasound: This test uses sound waves to create images of your blood vessels and measure blood flow.
Angiography: This X-ray imaging test uses a contrast dye to see the inside of your arteries.

Treatment

There is no cure for PAD, but there are treatments that can help to improve blood flow, manage symptoms, and prevent complications. Treatment options include:

Lifestyle changes: Quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and controlling your weight are all important for managing PAD.
Medications: Medications can help to lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.
Angioplasty and stenting: These procedures can be used to open narrowed arteries (Click here to read more on Angioplasty/stenting)
Bypass surgery: In some cases, bypass surgery may be necessary to create a new route for blood to flow around a blocked artery.

Prevention

The best way to prevent PAD is to adopt healthy lifestyle habits, such as:

Not smoking
Eating a healthy diet
Exercising regularly
Maintaining a healthy weight
Controlling your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels

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Peripheral Arterial Disease