Peripheral Artery Disease

Hidden Symptoms of Peripheral Artery Disease

Peripheral Artery Disease is a kind of vascular disease. The disease is also known as Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD). This is a serious medical ailment and results in narrowing the arteries. As a result, the condition reduces blood flow to body parts like arms and legs leading to various complications.

It is imperative to get treated for peripheral artery disease by experienced doctors at leading hospitals like Max Hospital India, BLK-Max Hospital etc. If medical attention is not given on time, PAD can give rise to other serious ailments like stroke or heart attack, which can prove to be fatal.

Symptoms of PAD

Numerous symptoms indicate that the person may have Peripheral Artery Disease. There will be very mild symptoms or no symptoms at all in some people. However, others may have claudication, a medical condition where the person experiences leg pain when performing any physical activity like walking etc. The pain may range from mild to extremely severe and goes away with rest.

Some symptoms that may indicate that you or a loved one may have Peripheral Artery Disease include:

  • The toenails take a much longer time to grow.
  • You might feel weakness or numbness in your leg.
  • Certain routine activities like walking, climbing stairs may lead to cramps in the hips, calf muscles and thighs.
  • The skin may show signs of redness or colour change.
  • The lower leg or foot may become very cold.
  • The pulse in the legs or feet may be weak, or there will be no pulse.
  • The skin on the legs may turn glossy.
  • There will be sores on feet legs or toes. These conditions usually do not heal. 
  • The feet and legs may experience hair loss.

These are some symptoms that you need to know. If you come across any of these symptoms, you should immediately contact a doctor at Max Hospital India to ensure that you get the right treatment on time. Delay in treatment can give rise to many other complications and prove fatal.

What causes Peripheral Artery Disease

Atherosclerosis is one of the leading causes of Peripheral Artery Disease. The disease is characterised by the accumulation of fatty deposits on the artery wall, leading to a significant reduction in blood flow. PAD is commonly found in the arms and legs but can also occur in other blood vessels.

Some other factors that can give rise to Peripheral Artery Disease are:

  • Injury in the limbs
  • Blood vessel inflammation 
  • Muscles and ligaments have irregular shape. 

There are several risk factors associated with Peripheral Artery Disease. Some of these are:

  • Smoking 
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes 
  • High blood pressure
  • Advanced age
  • High cholesterol

How to prevent PAD

Peripheral Artery Disease can be prevented by following a healthy lifestyle and habits.

Smoking is one of the leading causes of the emergence of Peripheral Artery Disease. That is why it is crucial to get rid of this habit as early as possible. If you find it difficult to quit smoking, you can discuss ways to kick the habit with your doctor.

Have a healthy and well-balanced diet. Ensure that you have high fibre content. Avoid foods that have excess cholesterol, sodium and fat.

Light exercises like yoga, meditation etc. for around half an hour every day will help prevent Peripheral Artery Disease. In addition, make sure that you take a walk in the morning and evening. However, before any exercise, it is important to take your doctor’s opinion.

Managing certain diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure and your stress level will help you prevent PAD.

Alcohol and tobacco can harm the body. It is necessary to avoid these substances to prevent PAD and have a healthy body.

Your doctor may also prescribe certain medications that manage the PAD’s risk factors like blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, risk of heart attack, stroke etc.

If PAD is in an advanced stage, the patient might be recommended to undergo surgery. Some surgeries that the doctor might advise include:

  • Peripheral artery bypass surgery
  • Atherectomy  
  • Balloon angioplasty
  • Stents

Final words

Peripheral Artery Disease is a serious medical condition, and if not treated on time, it can get worse. In some cases, it can also prove to be fatal. However, if you spot the symptoms of the disease early and get treatment on time, the doctors will be able to combat PAD in its initial stages.

Max Healthcare is a leading hospital chain in India and has successfully treated numerous patients suffering from PAD. The hospital has highly experienced doctors, good medical infrastructure, uses the latest technologies and provides the utmost care to every patient. So to get the best treatment for PAD, contact Max Healthcare today.