PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE (PAD)

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) occurs when fatty deposits clog or narrow arteries in the legs, restricting blood flow to the lower body. Chances are good that if you have PAD, other arteries may be similarly affected. African Americans, smokers and people over the age of 50 are most likely to develop PAD. Contributing factors include diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and a family history of heart disease or blood vessel disease.

To determine if you are at risk for PAD or, if you have symptoms, your doctor can perform a test called the ankle brachial index (ABI). This test compares blood pressure at your ankles to the pressure in your arms. It indicates how well the blood is flowing and if there are signs of arterial blockage. Sometimes, additional tests are needed.

SYMPTOMS

Some of the most common symptoms of PAD include:

• Cramping, pain, or fatigue in a leg while walking, climbing stairs, or exercising
• Pain that goes away when activity is stopped and comes back when activity resumes
• Pain in the hip, buttock, thigh, or calve muscles
• Numbness and tingling in the feet or legs
• Coldness in the lower legs and feet
• Leg or foot pain that can disrupt sleep
• Painful, slow to heal, lower limb sores

Most people with PAD are asymptomatic. Those who do have symptoms tend to dismiss them as part of aging. However, the condition is not to be taken lightly as it increases your risk for a heart attack or stroke, and if it becomes very severe, could lead to increased risk of infection, gangrene and amputation.

TREATMENT

Treating PAD can help keep you on your feet and lower your risk for heart problems and strokes. Options include:

• Lifestyle changes – exercising, not smoking and a healthy diet
• Prescription medicines to help prevent blood clots, lower cholesterol and reduce pain while walking
• For severe PAD, either angioplasty or bypass surgery may be needed to restore blood flow