Peripheral Artery Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a vascular disorder in which arteries outside the heart and brain become constricted or blocked. The main cause of PAD is atherosclerosis (formation of plaque inside the arteries) which restricts the circulation to the extremities. Most patients with early PAD do not exhibit symptoms. 

However, if left untreated, PAD can worsen, resulting in depleted oxygen delivery to muscles when a person walks or climbs stairs. The resulting pain, known as claudication, is typically intermittent, meaning it goes away when the person stops exerting. In more severe forms of PAD, the person may feel discomfort even when resting. It can also cause impaired wound healing in legs or feet.

PAD is a serious medical problem since it is a significant indicator of systemic atherosclerosis, which increases the risk of a heart attack, ischemic stroke, and vascular mortality. The risk of a heart attack is 20 to 60% higher, the risk of a stroke is 40 percent greater, and the probability of dying from coronary heart disease is two to six times greater than a person without PAD . Several studies indicate that the more severe the symptoms of PAD, the higher the death rate from a heart attack or stroke.

PAD seldom results in death (unless an ischaemic limb is left untreated for too long), but it may lead to significant disability and lifelong illness. Individuals with PAD have a diminished exercise capacity, limiting their range of activities. For example, they have a lower walking capacity than others. If they have developed intermittent claudication, their ability to walk is significantly reduced. In severe situations, claudication, muscle weakness or numbness, ischaemic leg pain at rest, or ulceration will limit a person's capacity to work.

What is a Peripheral Artery Disease?

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common disorder in which constricted arteries restrict blood flow to the arms and legs. This medical condition may also be referred to as peripheral arterial disease. In PAD, the legs or arms (mainly legs) do not receive adequate blood flow to meet oxygen needs. This can cause leg pain while walking (claudication).

Peripheral artery disease is typically caused by the development of fatty deposits in the arteries, also known as atherosclerosis. PAD treatment focuses on physical therapy, consuming nutritious foods, and refraining from smoking or using tobacco.

What are the Causes of Peripheral Artery Disease?

The leading cause of PAD is atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a slow process characterised by accumulation of fatty substances inside the blood vessels. Less common causes of PAD include formation of blood clots in the arteries, limb damage, and abnormal muscle/ligament structure. Following are the risk factors that contribute to PAD:

• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• Advancing age, 65 years or above
• High cholesterol levels
• Family history of heart disease

What are the Symptoms of Peripheral Artery Disease?

Many individuals with peripheral vascular disease do not exhibit any symptoms. PAD may develop over the lifetime. Symptoms may not be apparent early in life or at the start of disease progression. For many patients, symptoms do not show up until their artery narrows by 60% or more. Following are the common symptoms associated with PAD:

• Hair loss or decreased hair growth on the legs
• Claudication (pain in thigh, calf muscles, or hips may while walking or climbing stairs)
• Decreased toenail growth
• Numbness or weakness in the legs
• Cold feet of affected leg
• Sores or ulcers on the legs and feet that heal slowly or do not heal at all
• Skin on the legs becomes shiny or turns pale or bluish
• Difficulty in finding a pulse in the leg or foot.
• Erectile dysfunction

What are the Treatment Options for Peripheral Artery Disease?

The main objectives of peripheral artery disease (PAD) treatment are to alleviate symptoms, such as leg pain, so exercise is comfortable and improve artery health to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke and other complications. Following are the treatment options for peripheral artery disease:

• Lifestyle changes
• Medicine
• Surgery

Lifestyle changes can help improve symptoms, especially if you have early peripheral artery disease. Such changes include:

• Quit smoking or using tobacco in any form
• Incorporate regular exercise in your routine
• Eat healthy diet

Conclusion

Making lifestyle modifications can help to prevent or slow the progression of peripheral artery disease (PAD). Attend all of your follow-up appointments with your doctor or vascular specialist, and take the medications as prescribed for each one of your diseases. Knowing the early indications of PAD issues might also help you decide when to seek medical attention.

Quit smoking. Smoking raises the risk of peripheral artery disease (PAD) and its complications, such as stroke and heart attack. Smoking can potentially exacerbate pre-existing PAD symptoms. You can prevent or control PAD by eating less saturated fat and increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables.

If you are experiencing leg discomfort or other signs of peripheral artery disease (PAD), schedule a health examination. A consultation with a vascular specialist, or doctor who specialises in treating blood vessel issues, may be necessary.

Choose Artemis Cardiac Care for the best peripheral artery disease treatment. If you or your loved one is suffering from PAD and want more information on managing this disorder, connect with our vascular specialists. Book your appointment now!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: How is PAD diagnosed?
A: PAD is diagnosed through a physical examination, assessment of symptoms, and tests like the Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI), ultrasound, or angiography.

Q2: Who is at risk for developing PAD?
A: Risk factors for PAD include smoking, older age, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and a family history of heart disease or PAD.

Q3: What lifestyle changes can help manage PAD?
A: Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy diet, and controlling blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure can help manage PAD symptoms and prevent progression.

Q4: Is surgery necessary for PAD?
A: Surgery, such as angioplasty or bypass surgery, may be needed for severe cases of PAD where blood flow is significantly reduced or blocked.

Q5: Can PAD lead to other health complications?
A: Yes, if left untreated, PAD can lead to severe complications such as gangrene, amputations, heart attack, or stroke due to the underlying cardiovascular risks associated with the condition.