Understanding PAD

Many people know that the buildup of fatty tissue called plaque is the cause of coronary heart disease. However, pesky plaque can also build up in other vessels outside the heart. One of those conditions is called peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Approximately 8.5 million Americans over 40 have (PAD)— a circulatory ailment that reduces blood flow to your limbs.

While the condition mostly affects the legs, the fat and calcium buildup in artery walls can block blood flow to your arms and vital organs. The disease also increases your risk of coronary artery disease, heart attack and stroke if left untreated. Lack of blood flow to the legs can also make you prone to infection, and if prolonged and untreated, PAD can lead to amputation.

Those at risk include people 60 or older and those diagnosed with atherosclerosis, diabetes, hypertension and high blood pressure. Smoking and a family history of PAD also raise your risks.

According to the CDC, 4 in 10 people don't experience any leg pain with PAD. For others, the condition presents as pain, aching, or cramping in the buttock, hip, thigh or calf when walking. PAD patients might also notice wounds on their legs and feet are slow to heel, their skin appears discolored, or they have poor toenail growth. Many problems associated with PAD flare up during physical activity, then go away after a period of rest.

Lifestyle changes are one of the best ways to prevent PAD and other cardiovascular problems. Increased exercise, smoking cessation and blood sugar management can go a long way toward reducing plaque buildup in your peripheral arteries and your heart.

If you develop PAD, your physician may prescribe medication to treat high blood pressure and cholesterol, prevent blood clots or ease the pain. Several surgical procedures also can treat the root cause of PAD, depending on the severity of plaque buildup.

Research indicates that women are just as likely to get PAD as men—but women are often uneducated about PAD and are less likely to be screened by their healthcare provider for the condition. Women also typically have more severe cases and are more likely to have their quality of life affected by this disease. Despite this seemingly bad news for women, a new study from the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that surgical interventions for PAD are just as effective in women.

Talk with your physician about your overall risk for cardiovascular diseases, including PAD.

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