According to the American Heart Association (AHA), about 8.5 million adults have peripheral artery disease (PAD). The AHA also reports that people with PAD are four to five times more at risk for heart disease and stroke and are likely to go undiagnosed.
That’s because many people dismiss one of the primary symptoms — troublesome leg pain — as arthritis or part of the aging process and not as the very serious health concern that it is. Don’t ever ignore your health symptoms. Write them down and bring them to the attention of your doctor.
What is PAD?
PAD occurs when the peripheral arteries narrow due to atherosclerosis, a build-up of plaque in the arteries. The legs are most commonly affected. When the artery walls are clogged with plaque, normal blood flow is disrupted. If untreated, PAD can lead to gangrene and even amputation.
Clues That You May Have PAD
The symptoms of PAD affecting the legs include, but are not limited to, the following:
Pain or cramping in the legs or hips while walking that subsides after a few minutes of rest
Numbness or weakness in the leg or foot
Aching in the foot while at rest
A leg or foot that feels colder than the rest of the body
Foot sores that won’t heal
If you experience these symptoms, do not ignore them. PAD is a serious medical condition that requires treatment.
Prevention is Great Medicine
Some lifestyle changes can help prevent and treat the condition:
Quit smoking. Smokers have a higher risk for PAD, and a higher risk for heart disease and stroke if they already have PAD.
Maintain a healthy weight. Aim for a body mass index (BMI) of 24 or less to avoid developing PAD, diabetes, high blood pressure and other serious health conditions.
Get moving. Talk to your doctor about exercise programs that may help protect your heart and reduce PAD symptoms.
Know your numbers. Control your blood pressure and cholesterol with your physician’s guidance.
Treatment of PAD
In addition to adhering to a healthy lifestyle using the tips above, PAD may be treated with medication. Medicines like cilostazol and pentoxifylline can help patients walk longer distances, while antiplatelet agents can help prevent blood clots. Patients may also be prescribed cholesterol-lowering medications known as statins.
PAD can also be treated through a non-surgical procedure called angioplasty. This can make narrow or blocked arteries wider using a catheter with a deflated balloon on the tip. The balloon is placed in the narrow part of the artery and is then inflated, so that the physician can insert a stent to keep the artery open.
Patients may require bypass surgery if a long portion of an artery is narrow or blocked.
About Dr. Truong
Thomas Truong, DO is a board-certified interventional cardiologist who is fellowship trained in peripheral vascular medicine, cardiology and interventional cardiology. He is a Sparks native and provides care to patients at the Northern Nevada Medical Group (NNMG) clinic in Fallon on most Wednesdays. The Fallon clinic is located at 1020 New River Parkway, Suite 301, in Fallon, NV.
Dr. Truong is accepting new patients at the Fallon location and accepts most area health insurance plans, including Medicare. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Truong, call 775-356-4514. NNMG’s heart promise is to see patients within 24 business hours if requested.
Information is provided for educational purposes only, and is not intended to constitute medical advice or to be relied upon for the treatment of any particular condition. If you have concerns or questions about specific symptoms that may affect your health, please contact your healthcare provider.
SOURCE: American Heart Association