Last Updated on December 6, 2022 by
Peripheral arterial disease consequences go beyond reduced mobility due to leg pain. If the disorder is left untreated, it can result in life-threatening complications like stroke and amputation. Fortunately, Dr. Shah and his team at Prime Heart and Vascular have years of experience providing Peripheral Artery Disease Frisco treatments, giving you a significant fighting chance.
What you should know about peripheral arterial disease
Peripheral arterial disease s a circulatory medical condition in which your narrowed arteries restrict blood flow to your extremities, which may result in claudication (leg pain when walking) and other life-threatening symptoms. This disorder usually results from the accumulation of fatty deposits in your arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis leads to the narrowing of your arteries, cutting off the blood supply to your legs and arms. Inadequate blood supply to these areas starves your tissues, eventually leading to gangrene (tissue death). The progression of the PAD varies from one individual to the next depending on several factors, such as your overall health.
Factors elevating your risk for peripheral arterial disease
Smoking elevates your risk for several medical disorders, including PAD. Studies show that many individuals living with the condition were former smokers. The peripheral arterial disease can develop in anyone regardless of sex or age, although it is more prevalent in older adults. Factors that elevate your risk include high blood pressure, being African-American, abdominal obesity, having a blood clotting disorder, having diabetes, kidney disease, or having high cholesterol. While there is a significant difference between peripheral arterial disease and coronary artery disease, the two are closely related, and having one of them increases your risk of developing the other. National Health Institutes estimate that PAD patients are seven times more likely to get a transient ischemic attack, heart attack, or coronary artery disease.
How PAD interferes with your body functioning
The signature symptom of PAD is claudication, pain in your legs that worsens when walking and resolves with rest. This pain indicates inadequate oxygen supply in your leg muscles. The effects of PAD are far worse than trouble walking, and the consequences may extend beyond missing a golf game or shopping trip. This disease elevates your risk of developing non-healing ulcers in your feet or legs in the areas with gangrene, which, if left untreated, can lead to amputation. People with untreated PA also have a higher risk of life-threatening complications like heart attack and stroke.
How doctors treat peripheral arterial disease
Although PAD can result in life-threatening complications, if detected early, you can prevent its progression and embark on your daily activities without much trouble. After your diagnosis, the Prime Heart and Vascular team will educate you about the available PAD treatments before developing a personalized treatment plan. Making lifestyle modifications such as quitting smoking, beginning a regular exercise program, and eating a balanced diet are the first step to overcoming this disorder. Your provider may also recommend statin medications to reduce your risk of heart attack and minimally invasive surgeries in severe cases.
Call the Prime Heart and Vascular office or schedule an appointment online for more information about PAD.
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