Summary:
Peripheral artery disease (also called peripheral vascular disease) is a common circulatory problem, patients commonly complain of lower extremity cramping, pain or tiredness in the leg or hip muscles while walking or climbing stairs. Over 30% of people living with diabetes above the age of 50 will develop PAD. PAD increases the likelihood of developing strokes or cardiac arrest (heart attack).
Introduction
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) can be due to “hardening of the arteries,”. As the vessels harden, blood cells accumulate causing a hardening called plaque that limits proper blood flow. Reduced blood flow leads to inadequate perfusion of tissues causing tissue injury or death. Eventually, progressive tissue death can lead to whole organ failure or gangrenous distal digits that require amputation.
Risk factors
- Uncontrolled Blood sugars
- Being a smoker
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Being overweight
- High cholesterol
- Increasing age, especially over age 50
- A family history of peripheral artery disease, heart disease or stroke
- History of cerebrovascular disease or stroke
- History of heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Drug and substance abuse
Symptoms:
- Painful cramping in one or both of your hips, thighs or calf muscles after certain activities, such as walking or climbing stairs (claudication).
- Leg numbness or weakness
- Coldness in your lower leg or foot, especially when compared with the other side
- Sores on your toes, feet or legs that won’t heal
- A change in the color of your legs
- Hair loss or slower hair growth on your feet and legs
- Slower growth of your toenails
- Shiny skin on your legs
- No pulse or a weak pulse in your legs or feet
- Erectile dysfunction in men
Prevention:
- Stop smoking
- Keeping your blood sugar in good control.
- Lifestyle management: Healthy diets and maintain a healthy weight
- Regulation of alcohol intake
- Strict control of blood pressure