How Can Peripheral Arterial Disease Be
Prevented?
Taking action to control your
risk factors can help prevent or delay peripheral
arterial disease (P.A.D.) and its complications.
Know your family history of health problems related
to P.A.D. If you or someone in your family has this disease, be sure to tell
your doctor.
If you smoke, quit. Smoking is more closely related
to getting P.A.D. than any other risk factor. Your risk for P.A.D. increases
four times if you smoke or have a history of smoking. Talk to your doctor about
programs and products that can help you quit smoking.
Follow a healthy eating plan that’s low in
total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, and sodium (salt).
Eat more fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products. If you’re
overweight
or obese, work with your doctor to create a reasonable weight-loss
plan.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood
Institute’s
Therapeutic
Lifestyle Changes (TLC) and
Dietary
Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) are two examples of healthy eating
plans.
Get regular physical activity. Physical activity can
improve your fitness level and your health. Talk to your doctor about what
types of activity are safe for you. See the NHLBI's
"Your
Guide to Physical Activity and Your Heart." Although this guide focuses on
heart health, it also applies to general health and well-being.
These lifestyle changes can reduce your risk for
P.A.D. and help prevent and control conditions that can lead to P.A.D., such as
diabetes,
high
blood pressure,
high
blood cholesterol, heart disease, and
stroke. |