When plaque develops on the walls of blood arteries, it causes them to narrow. This is referred to as peripheral artery disease (PAD). It is most frequent in patients with type 2 diabetes, who are also at risk for excessive cholesterol and heart disease. According to the American Diabetes Association, about one in every three diabetics over the age of 50 has PAD. Doctors often diagnose PAD when it causes leg or foot symptoms. People with PAD are at increased risk of heart attack and stroke because artery accumulation and constriction occur in all arteries throughout the body. If you feel you have PAD, you should consult your peripheral vascular specialist Jackson Heights, NY. Your doctor can assist you in taking action to address your symptoms while also protecting your heart and blood vessels.
Symptoms of Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
PAD symptoms range from minor to severe and frequently escalate as follows:
Intermittent claudication
When the arteries in the legs constrict, they can’t expand sufficiently to supply enough blood required by muscles during activity. The oxygen-depleted muscles beneath the blockage, generally in the calf, may spasm, become painful, or feel heavy and weary, prompting the walker to halt or limp. Rest relieves the discomfort. The discomfort may be felt in the thigh or buttocks if the obstruction is higher up.
Resting pain or numbness
Even when the artery is resting, the leg receives insufficient blood as it narrows. At this point, the leg and foot may feel chilly, feeble, or even numb. Sleeping might be disrupted by foot and toe discomfort and tingling. Unlike blood clot pain, you can alleviate PAD discomfort by standing or dangling the leg over the edge of the bed to drive blood down via the arteries.
Tissue harm
Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is the most severe stage of PAD, in which blood supply is so low that wounds may not heal, and gangrene might occur. Only 1% to 2% of PAD patients acquire CLI, but all of them will require surgery to restore blood flow, and almost 30% will eventually require amputation.
PAD symptoms might be so subtle that you may not realize you have a problem. In other circumstances, modest leg discomfort from PAD may be dismissed as a sign of age and nothing more. That is why it is critical to pay attention to your health and treat any symptoms of PAD carefully. Early therapy is vital to the protection of your arterial system.
Diagnosis of PAD
The ankle-brachial index, which compares blood pressure in your arm to blood pressure in your ankle, can be used by your doctor to identify PAD. If your ankle blood pressure is lower than your arm blood pressure, you may have PAD. If your doctor cannot establish a definitive PAD diagnosis based only on your blood pressure, they may request further diagnostic tests. For example, they may request a magnetic resonance angiography or a Doppler ultrasonography.
If you or a loved one has any PAD symptoms, you should consider scheduling a check-up. If you are diagnosed with peripheral arterial disease, particular methods and knowledge tailored to your specific circumstances can enhance your quality of life and help you prevent negative results. Call Premier Vascular or schedule a meeting today to learn more about the treatments of peripheral arterial disease.
