{"id":168,"date":"2021-12-09T08:21:55","date_gmt":"2021-12-09T08:21:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/avavascular.com\/?post_type=cpt-we_treat&p=168"},"modified":"2023-05-17T18:26:23","modified_gmt":"2023-05-17T18:26:23","slug":"peripheral-artery-disease","status":"publish","type":"cpt-we_treat","link":"https:\/\/avavascular.com\/we-treat\/peripheral-artery-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"Peripheral Artery Disease"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is the disease of the arteries. To understand the difference between arteries and veins, the arteries are blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to different parts of the body, such as the organs and muscles. Veins are blood vessels that carry blood back from the organs and muscles to the heart. When we talk about PAD, we are referring to arteries that carry blood to the muscles of the limbs, such as the arms and legs, which are periphery to the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Therefore, PAD refers to Peripheral (Limb) Artery (Artery) Disease. The PAD arteries in the legs are more commonly affected than the arms. Over time, the arteries that supply blood flow to the muscles of the leg get narrower and narrower because of the buildup of plaque (typically made up of cholesterol, fat, and calcium). <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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We commonly see this in patients with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. High cholesterol<\/strong> due to cholesterol and fatty plaque build up<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Hypertension<\/strong> which is when high blood pressure emits high stress on the wall of the arteries and makes them hard and stiff to compensate the high pressure. Over time it forms calcium, similar to the calcium found in the bones.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Smoking<\/strong> can cause damage to the inner lining of the arteries due to the toxic chemicals in the cigarette smoke which leads to plaque buildup and narrowing of the arteries typically affecting the bigger arteries like the aorta, Iliac arteries (pelvic arteries) and Femoral arteries (thigh arteries).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Diabetes <\/strong>causes calcium to build up in the arteries, specifically smaller arteries such as arteries of the legs, feet and toes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Renal failure or patient on dialysis<\/strong> build up calcium in the arteries like diabetes<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Older age<\/strong> typically greater than 65, can cause calcium buildup in the arteries like in diabetes and renal failure patients.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    The narrowing of the arteries that supply the muscles of the legs leads to reduced blood flow to the muscles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As we use our leg muscles to perform increasing activities such as walking, going up the stairs, or running, the muscles in the legs require more and more blood flow. With PAD leading to the narrowing of the blood vessels, it does not allow the blood to travel fast enough through the arteries to keep up with the activity. This typically leads to cramping and tightening of the muscles in the buttocks, thigh, and calf – requiring us to pause or stop the activity. Pausing or stopping allows time for the blood to reach the muscles before resuming activity. This is classically known as claudication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    PAD can progress over time and if left untreated, can affect simple day-to-day activities of living – i.e. walking in and around the house, walking to the mailbox, walking from the parking lot to the grocery store, climbing stairs in the house. In severe cases, the leg muscles become weak and can lead to problems with balance and patients might experience falls, thus requiring a cane or walker to walk, or they even become wheelchair bound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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