Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a very common circulatory problem that puts most of the total human population in danger, but still, the majority of people don’t find out this disease until later stages, after the arteries that provide blood to your limbs (most times these are the legs) are narrowed or blocked as a result of plaque buildup, your muscles, and other tissues do not get the required oxygen-rich blood supply. This condition often causes pain in the legs, cramps, numbness, and slow-healing wounds. The solution – diagnosis in time and getting treatment from a specialist, PAD can be handled well, and the dangerous effects of it can be avoided.
What is PAD?
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a condition in which arteries carrying blood to the limbs are blocked or narrowed due to the deposit of fatty substances pointedly called plaque. This limits the blood supply mostly during exercise and causes pain or discomfort in limbs. PAD is a caution signal that your arteries are not healthy and in addition, it can be a sign of increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
Why does PAD happen?
One or more of the following reasons can lead to the emergence of PAD:
- Smoking: The leading factor, which makes the blood vessels harmed and, in turn, accelerates the buildup of plaque.
- High blood pressure: It causes the arteries to become stiffer and narrower.
- High cholesterol: It is the main reason for fatty deposits in arteries.
- Diabetes: It leads to damage in both small and large blood vessels and thus decreases circulation.
- Age: The risk factor increases with age.
- Family history: A history of vascular diseases in your family will likely make you prone to PAD.
If you preempt these risk factors and take control of them, you will be free from PAD or be in a position to slow down its progression.
Early signs & symptoms of PAD
The beginning of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is usually without signs, but eventually, signs will become more and more evident:
- Pain or cramps in the legs while walking (called intermittent claudication).
- The legs become numb or weak.
- The skin is shinier or the colour is different, hair grows more slowly, and the toenails are thick.
- Wounds or sores that don’t heal on the feet or legs.
In the case where the pain is experienced even at rest, it is most probably due to PAD in its advanced stage, and therefore medical help should be sought right away.
Stages of PAD
Stage 1: Asymptomatic
The arteries are slowly getting tighter, but the individual has no symptoms. It is the best time for early intervention of a lifestyle change.
Stage 2: Intermittent Claudication
You may experience cramps in the legs or feel tired when walking or engaging in other physical activities, and the symptoms will subside after resting. This is typically the very first indication of PAD that a person can recognize.
Stage 3: Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI)
The blood flow is so limited that the area is even more painful at rest, there are slow-healing wounds, and the possibility of infection is increasing.
Stage 4: Acute Limb Ischemia
An acute medical condition in which blood flow is suddenly stopped. The cold, pale limb, which will soon be without its tissues if relief does not come quickly, is, without a doubt, the area in question.
Diagnosis of PAD
To confirm PAD, a vascular specialist such as Dr. Luv Luthra may recommend the following:
- Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI): Blood pressure differences between the arms and ankles are measured.
- Doppler Ultrasound: Blood flow and blockages are checked.
- Angiography (CT/MR): Gives a clear picture of close arteries.
- Blood tests: Are used to check cholesterol and sugar levels.
When diagnosis is made early, treatment is more effective and the condition can be stopped from getting worse.
Treatment options for PAD
1. Lifestyle changes
- Definitely, a person must stop cigarette smoking right away.
- Eating healthy food that is beneficial for the heart is a thing that a person must do.
- A person should engage in regular physical activities, such as walking.
- A person must also ensure that diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels are under proper control.
2. Medications
- Doctors may decide to give a patient a prescription for the following medications:
- Antiplatelet agents (such as aspirin) which are used to help in the prevention of blood clots.
- Statins to lower cholesterol.
- The drugs that are used to open up the blood vessels and to lessen the pain that is felt in the leg should be taken.
The medications for diabetes and hypertension should also be taken.
3. Surgical Treatments
If the situation is extreme, for example, an artery blockage that leads to an insufficient blood supply, the surgeon may decide to perform bypass surgery to reroute the blood vessels.
In the most severe cases of PAD where wounds and ulcers have developed, surgical wound care and infection control become the most critical aspects of the treatment.
4. Follow-Ups regularly
Peripheral artery disease is a long-term health issue and monitoring is necessary to follow the progress of the disease.
Periodic consultations with Dr. Luthra not only help to keep a track of the circulation but also to prevent the occurrences of complications and promote
When to see a doctor
A vascular specialist is a person you should take advice from when you have symptoms such as:
- Leg pain or cramps that occur during walking.
- Numbness or coldness of the feet.
- Wounds on the legs or toes that heal very slowly.
- Changes in the skin colour of your feet or little pulses in them.
If you will get early medical attention, it will be able to stop the infection at a higher level, gangrene, or amputation.
Preventing PAD progression
It is really essential to start with a simple plan that would basically be like a to-do list:
- Completely stop smoking.
- Start an exercise program into your life
- Eat healthy foods that contain at least five servings of fresh fruits or vegetables daily and are low in fat and sugar.
- Control on your blood glucose, cholesterol, and blood pressure.
- Make an appointment for your regular health checkup of your blood vessels.
About Dr Luv Luthra
Dr. Luv Luthra is a top vascular and endovascular surgeon who is known for skillfully and thoughtfully handling complex artery and vein disorders of extreme intricacy. The minimal intervention procedures, which require less time for recovery and are effective for a long time, are a main feature of his practice.
He is very committed to patient education and ensures that everyone understands and gets the information of their diagnosis and treatment options without any doubt. Having clinical experience for many years, Dr. Luthra has been very successful in the treatment of numerous cases of PAD, wherein he was able to give back to patients their freedom to move, self-confidence, and inner peace.
What makes Dr Luthra be a distinguished person in the field of vascular health management is his strong determination to adhere to the principles of good and kind care and to provide you with the most advanced vascular solutions.
Conclusion
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is an illness that may very slowly and most probably be overlooked, which may result in terrible consequences, such as the loss of hands or legs. Early recognition of symptoms like leg pain, cramps, and cold feet, and a timely doctor’s visit will surely help in limb salvage and overall health improvement, under the expert guidance of Dr. Luv Luthra, which is aimed at restoring normal blood flow and stopping the occurrence of new problems.
