Peripheral artery disease explained
Peripheral artery disease is a medical condition that involves blockages, usually made up of cholesterol, calcium and scar tissue that form in the arteries of the legs, arms, aorta or brain. Affecting nearly eight to 10 million Americans, PAD has identifiable factors that raise one’s risk of developing this disease.
According to Dr. James Richardson, a cardiologist with Washington Health System Cardiovascular Care, the majority of PAD cases affect people over 50 years of age, but there are other risk factors as well, including smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol. African-Americans are two times more likely to develop PAD than Caucasians.
Lifestyle considerations, such as smoking, can increase risk by as much as four to six times that of a nonsmoker. Approximately one in three patients with diabetes may suffer from PAD due to the damage high blood sugar can have on the arteries. There are also treatable factors such high blood pressure and high cholesterol that can also raise the risk by two to three times.
Symptoms of PAD involving the lower extremities include cramping, heaviness, or fatigue of the legs, especially with walking or other exertional activity. The discomfort can affect the calves, thighs, or buttocks, depending upon where the blockage is located in the artery. Other symptoms may include changes in extremity skin color or ulcerations of the skin of the lower extremities. Some people with PAD may have no symptoms at all.
The diagnosis and treatment of PAD can be made by running tests to confirm the occurrence and prognosis. Those tests include ankle brachial indices, arterial ultrasound duplex studies, CT angiography, MR angiography or invasive angiography. The choice of diagnostic test may depend upon circumstance or patient and physician preference.
Treatment involves treatment of risk factor for developing PAD, as mentioned above. Smoking cessation is of utmost importance. In addition, medications may be used to thin the blood by inhibiting platelet function, including aspirin, cilostazol and clopidogrel. Cholesterol-reducing medicines such as statins may also be used. Exercise is also often an important part of treatment. If lifestyle changes and medicine are not enough, or if the blockage is severe, arterial angioplasty with stenting or even bypass surgery may be needed.
If you or anyone you know has symptoms like these or you have any questions related to healthy heart care, call 724-225-6500 or visit the Cardiovascular Care site on the Web at www.washingtonphysicians.org.