Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
We can also call it peripheral vascular disease. In this condition, fat, along with cholesterol, calcium, etc., starts accumulating inside the arteries in any part of the body. This problem is mainly found in the arteries of the hands and feet. Due to the accumulation of plaque (atheroma) from this asterisk, there is less blood flow throughout the body. PAD usually affects the legs and arms. While awake, it causes pain in the legs, and in severe cases it can lead to depression and even leg amputation.
Dr. Abhishek Vikram Singh, Director of Infinity Care Hospital, Varanasi, says that this disease also depends on age. The risk is higher as you get older. It can happen to both men and women and can run in families. Smoking, diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure increase the risk of getting PAD.
Symptoms of PAD:
The most common symptom is walking with a limp. It causes pain in the leg muscles while walking and exercising. This happens because the muscles do not get enough blood supply for low levels of oxygen and various essential nutrients. When a muscle is relaxed, the patient can carry on with his normal activities. Due to an insufficient amount of blood supply, the skin, and the soft tissues of that part are also affected. The leg muscles are badly affected by PAD, as these muscles are too far from the heart. This can lead to the development of persistent pain, ulcers and even pain in the feet. This is known as “critical limb ischemia”. This condition requires rapid treatment to save the foot.
PAD Diagnosis:
You will need to see a vascular specialist, who will check the pulse and blood flow in a specific leg area with a Doppler test. A Doppler test will help the doctor to determine the blood pressure in the leg. Your doctor may ask you to undergo a duplex ultrasound test, which is a combination of standard ultrasound and Doppler. Ultrasound helps to learn about the location and severity of blocked arteries.
Treatment of PAD:
When PAD affects your life, it means that your PAD is so severe that you have ulcers/gangrene, so your doctor may need to improve the blood supply to your leg and perform treatments such as balloon angioplasty, bypass surgery, etc. The treatment will have to act quickly.
Coronary artery disease:
Coronary artery disease is a condition in which plaque formed by fat, cholesterol, calcium, etc., accumulates/develops inside the arteries of the heart. This condition is known as “atherosclerosis”. These arteries play an important role in supplying oxygenated blood and nutrients to the heart muscle.
CAD is caused by:
Plaque narrows the arteries and reduces blood flow to the heart muscle. Because of this, blood clots easily start forming in the heart. This leads to partial or complete blockage of blood flow to the heart, resulting in a heart attack. It has been observed that there are certain factors that cause damage to the inner layers of the coronary arteries.
Dr Abhishek Vikram Singh says that if we look at the causes of this disease,
Smoking
High blood pressure
High blood cholesterol
Diabetes
Being physically inactive
Obesity
Family history of heart disease
