Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a vascular condition which mostly attacks the legs and feet. It happens when the arteries tighten, reducing or limiting blood flow to certain locations. The leg arteries carry oxygen-rich blood that originates from the heart to your legs and arms. Arterioles are small tubes with a thin lining that prevents blood clots and allows for continuous blood flow. Plaque eventually accumulates within your arterial walls as a result of peripheral artery disease. This gradually severely limits your arteries. This lesion is also referred to as atherosclerosis.
Peripheral Artery Disease is one of the most prevalent illnesses, affecting one out of every twelve people. The most frequent symptom of PAD is claudication, which is pain in your leg that worsens with walking or exercise and improves with rest. A shortage of oxygen in your leg muscles is causing the agony. The dangers of PAD extend far beyond walking difficulties.
Symptoms:
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) occurs when blood arteries outside the heart constrict, causing discomfort in the legs when walking or running. Other illnesses, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, are frequently associated with PAD and may contribute to its progression.
- Walking is made harder due to leg discomfort
- The legs are numb
- Variations in skin color
- A weak or missing pulse in the leg or foot
- Cramping
- sparkling skin on the legs
- Sexual impotence
- Abrasions on the feet or toes
- Hair loss on the legs
- Extreme coolness as contrasted to the opposite leg
Risk Factors of PAD:
Everyone can be affected by vascular disease. “Risk factors” are items that increase your chances of acquiring vascular disease, such as diet, heredity, and age. Understanding your risk factors can assist you in preventing or managing vascular disease. Certain risk factors (such as family history) are unchangeable. There are things you can do to reduce your risk and enhance your vascular health. While not all vascular illnesses have the same risk factors, the following are some of the most common:
- Smoking or excess use of tobacco
- Diabetes
- Abdominal Obesity
- Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
- High cholesterol (hyperlipidemia)
- Kidney issues
- Being 50 and older
- Having a family history of blood vessel or cardiac illness
How Serious is Peripheral Vascular Disease?
The most frequent symptom of PAD is claudication, which is pain in your leg that worsens with walking or exercise and improves with rest. A shortage of oxygen in your leg muscles is causing the agony. PAD risks extend far beyond walking difficulties. Peripheral artery disease increases the likelihood of having non healing leg or foot discomfort.. The dangers of PAD extend far beyond walking challenges. Peripheral artery disease raises your chances of developing a nonhealing leg or foot pain. In extreme cases of PAD, these lesions can evolve into patches of dead tissue (gangrene), necessitating the removal of your foot or limb.
Those with PAD who do not receive therapy may require an amputation — the loss of part or all of your foot or leg (rarely your arm), especially if they also have diabetes. Because the blood circulation of your body is interrelated, the consequences of PAD might spread beyond the afflicted limb. Individuals who have atherosclerosis in their legs are more likely to get it in other sections of their bodies.
PVD complications can be significant, even fatal, if left undetected and untreated. PVD-related restricted blood flow can be a warning indicator of various types of vascular disease.
PVD complications can include:
- Tissue death, which may need limb amputation
- Erectile dysfunction
- Pale skin
- Discomfort during rest and during movement
- Excruciating discomfort that limits movement
- Non-healing wounds
- Potentially fatal diseases of the bones and bloodstream
- Amputation
- Severe pain in the affected region
- Stroke
The arteries that provide blood to the heart and brain are the most vulnerable to problems. Clogged arteries can cause a heart attack, stroke, or death. Vascular diseases, such as PAD and diabetes, account for more than half of all amputations. Untreated PAD can develop gangrene, non-healing foot ulcers, and infected ulcers by impairing blood flow to your limbs. Any of these illnesses might need an amputation.
A heart attack is most commonly caused by a sudden constriction or blockage of a coronary artery, which prevents oxygen from reaching the heart. This can occur when the plaque in the coronary artery ruptures and a blood clot develops in the artery. Plaque can constrict the artery over time, causing it to harden (atherosclerosis).
As mentioned above, Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a condition that affects the blood vessels outside the heart and brain, typically in the legs and feet. It is a serious condition that can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life and can also lead to severe complications if left untreated.
The severity of PVD can vary depending on the stage of the disease and the underlying cause. In the early stages, symptoms may be mild, such as cramping, pain, or discomfort in the legs during physical activity. However, as the disease progresses, the symptoms may become more severe and can include chronic pain, numbness, tingling, and even the development of ulcers or gangrene.
In addition to the impact on a person’s quality of life, PVD can also increase the risk of other serious health problems such as heart attack, stroke, and even death. Therefore, it is essential to seek medical attention if you experience any symptoms of PVD, especially if you have risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. Overall, PVD is a serious condition that requires prompt medical attention and treatment to prevent complications and improve outcomes.
If you are diagnosed with PAD, check your doctor for the best results, see Dr. Abhilash Sandhyala at The Flow Vascular Clinic. He has the greatest expertise treating peripheral artery disease in Hyderabad. Peripheral vascular disease is more common in elderly persons, although it can affect anyone at any age. For more information about PAD, call us right now or click here to make an appointment.