Peripheral Artery Disease Management

CARDIOLOGY SERVICES

In the arteries in your legs, plaque builds up, causing peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Your leg arteries deliver blood from your heart that is nutrient- and oxygen-rich to your arms and legs. The other names for this condition are peripheral vascular disease and Peripheral arterial disease.

A smooth inner surface on the inside of the hollow tube-like arteries keeps blood from clotting and encourages constant blood flow. Plaque, which is composed of fat, cholesterol, and other substances, slowly develops inside the walls of your arteries when you have the peripheral arterial disease. Your arteries gradually narrow as a result. The term “atherosclerosis” also applies to this plaque.

A buildup of plaque (fats and cholesterol) in the arteries in your legs or arms is known as peripheral arterial disease, or PAD. Your blood will have a tougher time getting oxygen and nutrients to the tissues in those places as a result. Although PAD is a chronic condition, you can improve it by working out, eating less fat, and quitting smoking.

You can get more information regarding peripheral artery disease management from our group of experts at Port Charlotte Cardiology.

Peripheral artery disease stages

Fontaine and Rutherford are two different ways that healthcare professionals might utilize to categorize your PAD. The easier Fontaine stages are as follows:

  • No symptoms (without symptoms).
  • Mild claudication.
  • Ischemic rest discomfort, which causes pain in the legs while at rest.
  • Gangrene or ulcers.

Peripheral artery disease symptoms

The symptoms of Peripheral artery disease are as follows:

Sharp or painful discomfort in your feet or toes that you experience when sleeping, especially if you’re flat on your back.

  • Your feet have cool skin.
  • Your skin’s hue may have changed or become reddish.
  • More recurring infections of the skin and sensitive tissues (usually in your feet or legs).
  • Wounds on the toes and feet that are unhealed.

Peripheral vascular disease affects 50% of patients without any symptoms. Over a lifetime, PAD might deteriorate. Sometimes symptoms don’t show up until much later in life. Many people don’t experience symptoms until their artery has shrunk by 60% or more.

Peripheral artery disease identification

A doctor will examine you physically and go over your medical background and risk factors. To help with the diagnosis and assessment of the severity of PAD, they may request noninvasive tests. These tests might aid in identifying any blood vessel blockages you may have.

  • The ankle-brachial index (ABI).
  • Recording of pulse volume (PVR).
  • Arterial ultrasound.
  • To discover arterial blockages, you could also require an invasive test called angiography.

Peripheral artery disease side effects

Without therapy, persons with PAD may require an amputation, which involves cutting off all or a portion of their foot, leg, or arm (rarely both), especially if they also have diabetes.
The consequences of PAD can spread past the leg that is damaged because of how interrelated your body’s circulatory system is. Those who have atherosclerosis in their legs frequently have it elsewhere in their body.

Peripheral artery disease treatment

PAD can be treated with lifestyle modifications, drugs, and surgeries. Treatments for peripheral artery disease focus on two basic objectives:

  • Lowering the likelihood of cardiovascular events.
  • Reducing the pain you experience while you walk, so raising your quality of life.

Recovering period

You might stay in the hospital for a single night or several, depending on the therapy you received. After an atherectomy, your recovery period can just last a few days. However, a week will be needed after an angioplasty. Complete recovery from peripheral artery bypass surgery can take six to eight weeks.