Non healing ulcers, Severe leg pain while walking, skin discolouration are some of the most common manifestations of peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
Peripheral arterial disease (also called as peripheral vascular disease or atherosclerotic disease) is a slow and progressive serious circulation disorder due to progressive narrowing of blood vessels in the body. It can affect any blood vessel in the body. The organs supplied by these blood vessels may not get sufficient blood flow for normal functioning. The most commonly affected vessels are those of the heart and the legs.
The most common cause of narrowing is atherosclerosis, i.e., build up of plaques along the walls of the blood vessels. Plaques reduces the blood flow through the vessels to the supplying tissues resulting in decreased oxygen and nutrition to the normal tissues. Blood clots may form along the walls of arteries further reducing the lumen of these blood vessels and even end up in complete blockage of blood supply
Take a look at the risk factors for developing atherosclerosis and peripheral arterial disease.
What are the treatment options available?
The main goals for treatment of PAD are to control the symptoms and halt the progression of the disease to lower the risk for heart attack, stroke, and other complications.
Treatment may include:
Lifestyle changes to control risk factors, including regular exercise, proper nutrition, and quitting smoking
Aggressive treatment of existing conditions that may worsen PVD, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol
Medicines to improve blood flow, such as antiplatelet agents (blood thinners) and medicines that relax the blood vessel walls
Angioplasty — your doctor inserts a catheter (long hollow tube) to create a larger opening in an artery to increase blood flow. There are several types of angioplasty procedures, including:
Balloon angioplasty (a small balloon is inflated inside the blocked artery to open the blocked area)
Atherectomy (the blocked area inside the artery is "shaved" away by a tiny device on the end of a catheter)
Laser angioplasty (a laser is used to "vaporize" the blockage in the artery)
Stent (a tiny coil is expanded inside the blocked artery to open the blocked area and is left in place to keep the artery open)
Complications of untreated PAD:
Complications most often occur because of decreased or absent blood flow. Such complications may include:
Amputation (loss of a limb)
Poor wound healing
Restricted mobility due to pain or discomfort
Severe pain in the affected extremity
Stroke (3 times more likely in people with PVD)
Key points about peripheral vascular disease
Peripheral vascular disease can affect all types of blood vessels.
Blood flow is restricted to the tissue because of spasm or narrowing of the vessel.
This disease more often affects the blood vessels in the legs.
The most common symptom is pain, which becomes worse as the circulation more limited.
Restoring blood flow and preventing disease progression is the goal of treatment.
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