Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) Questions & Answers

1. Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) Questions & Answers What is Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)? Also referred to as Peripheral Artery Disease, PAD (Peripheral Arterial Disease) is a common medical circulatory condition that causes the narrowing of the peripheral arteries to the legs, stomach, arms, and head, especially affecting the legs. Also known as Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) that includes both arteries and veins, they are most often caused by the development of fatty deposits in the arteries. It further affects the blood vessels, causing them to narrow and thereby reduces/restricts the blood flow to the arms, kidneys, stomach, and most usually, the legs. To put it simply, a person with PAD condition, in legs, does not receive enough blood supply and experiences pain while walking as the warning signs. The condition can be cured by exercising, eating a healthy diet, and getting specialized treatment from the bedside wound care services as the symptoms are noticed by the patients. What Are The Symptoms Of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)? Many people with PAD have mild or no symptoms, while some people feel leg pain such as muscle pain or cramping in legs or arms triggered by any activity like walking but disappears after rest. The possible symptoms include: ● Changes in the color of the legs ● Lower extremity cramping ● Pain in the leg or hip muscles while walking or climbing stairs ● Leg numbness, coldness, or sores in the legs ● Hair loss in feet ● Slower growth of toenails ● Brittle toenails ● Shiny or pale skin in the legs ● No pulse or weak pulse in feet etc.

2. When To See A Doctor? If a patient has leg pain while walking or any other of these symptoms, they need to call Wound Care Experts immediately. Though smoking is the primary cause of this condition, age & diabetes also contribute. So, even if there are no symptoms, consult with the doctors if a patient is: ● 70 or older ● 50 or older and have diabetes as well as smokes ● Under 50 but has diabetes and any of these following conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, family history of PAD, heart attack or stroke, etc. What Causes Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)? This medical condition is often caused by atherosclerosis where fatty deposits develop in artery walls and reduce blood flow. Atherosclerosis usually affects the heart, but it can also affect arteries throughout the body. Other causes are: ● Infection of inflammation of the blood vessel

3. ● Arm or leg injury ● Irregular shaped muscles or ligaments ● Radiation exposure etc. How Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is Diagnosed? There are several ways to diagnose PAD including: ● Ankle-brachial index - It is performed to compare the blood pressure in the lower leg and upper arm. ● Ultrasound & Blood Tests - It is recommended to check cholesterol levels, blood flow, and blocked arteries. ● CT (Computed tomographic angiography) - It is a non-invasive test that generates images of a patient's arteries in the abdomen, pelvis, and legs especially patients with pacemakers or stents. ● MRA (Magnetic Resonance Angiography) - It provides similar information to a CT scan but without x-rays. What are the types of PAD? There are two types of PAD which are: ● Functional PAD - In this condition, there is no physical damage to the blood vessels’ structure, rather, vessels get widen and narrow in response to other factors such as brain signals or temperature changes, etc. ● Organic PAD - It is associated with changes in the blood vessel structure like inflammation, plaques, and tissue damage. What Are The Treatment Options For Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)? The treatment by Wound Care Surgeons is focused on reducing the symptoms and preventing further progression of the condition. With some lifestyle changes, increased exercise, and prescribed medication, the condition is curable.

4. ● Eat A Healthy/Balanced Diet - Make sure to eat a diet that is fiber and low in cholesterol, fat, and sodium. Many patients with PAD have increased cholesterol levels and a healthy diet with plenty of fruits & vegetables can help lower blood cholesterol levels. ● Regular Exercise - The patients with PAD are required to start a regular exercise program such as walking. This is the most effective type of treatment a doctor will recommend. Do some simple leg exercises three times a week. ● Quit Smoking - Consuming tobacco increases the risks of PAD, heart attack, and stroke. Quitting smoking will help slow the progression of PAD and other heart-related diseases. ● Medications -The doctors may prescribe antihypertensive drugs and statins to decrease cholesterol levels. Pentoxifylline is another drug that can help with poor circulation. ● Angioplasty - This treatment can also be performed by doctors using a catheter. It is a thin tube to insert a tiny balloon in arteries. ● Surgery - If there is a necessity, the surgeons can supply blood around a blocked artery with a procedure called a bypass graft. What Are The Risk Factors For Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)? These are some factors that increase the risk of PAD such as: ● Smoking ● Diabetes ● Obesity ● High blood pressure ● Increasing age ● Family history of PAD ● High levels of homocysteine etc. What Are The Complications of PAD? If any person is suffering from PAD caused by a buildup of fatty deposits in the blood vessels, they are also at risk of developing: ● Critical limb ischemia - This is the condition when an open sore won't heal such as an injury or an infection of the feet or legs. Sometimes it can even result in amputation.

5. ● Stroke And Heart Attack -The condition called atherosclerosis is not only limited to the development of PAD but also can cause blocked arteries supplying blood to the heart & brain. What Are The Preventive Measures For PAD? One of the best ways to prevent the progression of PAD is to maintain a healthy lifestyle such as: ● Keep blood sugar in control if has diabetes ● Decrease cholesterol level ● Maintain a healthy weight ● Exercise daily ● Stop smoking etc. PAD can be a warning sign if a patient has a plaque in the legs but an immediate diagnosis & treatment under the supervision of the wound care team will help cure the condition.