Understanding Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)

What is PAD?

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a circulatory condition where narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs, most commonly the legs. This narrowing occurs due to atherosclerosis - the buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) in arterial walls.

Key Symptoms

• Pain or cramping in legs during activity (claudication)
• Numbness or weakness in legs
• Cold feet or legs
• Shiny skin on legs
• Weak or absent pulses in legs or feet
• Slow-healing sores on feet or legs
• Color changes in skin of affected limbs

Risk Factors

• Age (over 50)
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Family history of cardiovascular disease
• Obesity
• Physical inactivity

Diagnosis

Common Tests Include:

1. Ankle-brachial index (ABI)
2. Ultrasound
3. Angiography
4. CT or MRI scans

Treatment Options

Lifestyle Changes

• Smoking cessation
• Regular exercise
• Healthy diet
• Weight management

Medications

• Antiplatelet drugs
• Cholesterol medications
• Blood pressure medications
• Medications to control blood sugar

Surgical Interventions

• Angioplasty and stenting
• Bypass surgery
• Atherectomy

Complications

• Critical limb ischemia
• Increased risk of heart attack and stroke
• Tissue death (gangrene)
• Non-healing wounds

Prevention

1. Regular exercise
2. Healthy diet
3. Regular medical check-ups
4. Blood pressure control
5. Diabetes management
6. Smoking cessation

When to Seek Medical Care

Consult your healthcare provider if you experience:

• Leg pain during activity
• Slow-healing wounds
• Color changes in extremities
• Persistent cold feet

Living with PAD

Managing PAD requires ongoing commitment to:

• Regular medical follow-up
• Medication compliance
• Lifestyle modifications
• Risk factor management