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Key Points
- Peripheral arterial disease (P.A.D.) occurs when
plaque builds up in the arteries that carry blood to the head, organs, and
limbs. When plaque builds up in arteries, the condition is called
atherosclerosis.
- Over time, plaque can harden and narrow the
arteries. This limits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your organs and other
parts of your body.
- P.A.D. usually affects the legs, but also can
affect the arteries that carry blood from your heart to your head, arms,
kidneys, and stomach.
- Blocked blood flow to your legs can cause pain
and numbness. It also can raise your risk of getting an infection in the
affected limbs. It may be hard for your body to fight the infection. If severe
enough, blocked blood flow can cause tissue death (gangrene). In very severe
cases, this can lead to leg amputation.
- The most common cause of P.A.D. is
atherosclerosis. The exact cause of atherosclerosis isn’t known. The
disease may start when certain factors damage the inner layers of the
arteries.
- The major risk factors for P.A.D. are smoking,
age, and having certain medical conditions. 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.
- At least half of the people who have P.A.D.
don’t have any signs or symptoms of it. Some people who have P.A.D. may
have symptoms when walking or climbing stairs. These may include pain,
numbness, aching, or heaviness in the leg muscles. Symptoms also may include
cramping in the legs, buttocks, thighs, calves, and feet.
- P.A.D. is diagnosed based on your medial and
family histories, a physical exam, and results from various tests. An accurate
diagnosis is important, because people who have P.A.D. are at increased risk
for coronary
artery disease,
heart
attack,
stroke, and
transient ischemic attack. If you have P.A.D., your doctor
also may want to look for signs of these conditions.
- Treatments for P.A.D. include lifestyle changes,
medicines, and surgery or procedures. Treatment is based on your signs and
symptoms, risk factors, and results from a physical exam and tests.
- Taking action to control your risk factors can
help prevent or delay P.A.D. and its complications.
- You can take steps to treat and control P.A.D.
and lower your risk for complications. Talk to your doctor about taking part in
a supervised exercise program. This type of program has been shown to reduce
P.A.D. symptoms. Take good care of your feet and legs. See your doctor for
checkups as he or she advises, and take all medicines as your doctor
prescribes.
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Living With Links
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