Nietzsche
03-16-2008, 03:30 PM
What is peripheral arterial disease ?
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) occurs when the blood vessels that supply blood to your legs become narrow.
Narrowed blood vessels are associated with a number of differet diseases,depending on which vessels are effected.
-In the leg,narrow blood vessels can lead to PAD
-In the heart,narrow blood vessels can lead to angina or heart attack
-In the brain,narrow blood vessels can lead to stroke
Most people with PAD do not feel any symptoms
-In fact many people do not even realise they have the disease.In some people,PAD causes characteristic pains in the legs,called intermittent claudication,usually after walking for a short while.Severe PAD can lead to non-healing wounds or infections such as gangrene.
Why does PAD matter ?
If you don't feel any pain,why does finding out whether you have PAD matter ? Having PAD means you have an increased risk of developing other disease such as coronary artery disease and stroke.This risk can be reduced with a healty lifestyle and appropriate treatment.
How is PAD diagnosed ?
Like high blood pressure or raised blood cholestrol levels,you can often only tell you have PAD when your doctor carries out special tests.The best way to diagnose PAD is by comparing the bllod pressure measured in your arm with that measured in your ankle.Accurate measurements are taken using a small ultrasonic device.The process is painless it's just like having your blood pressure measured,except you will be asked to lie down for a few minutes.A simple questionnaire can help identify people with leg pain due to PAD.
Who gets PAD ?
People who smoke or have diabetes are more likely to develop PAD than those who don't and the likelihood of developing PAD increases with age.Other risk factors include:
-A previous heart attack or stroke
-High blood pressure or high blood cholestrol levels
How is PAD treated ?
The goal for PAD therapy is to reduce your risk of experiencing a heart attack or stroke.Stopping smoking and taking regular walks are excellent ways of doing this.
Your doctor may also recommend medication that preventsw blood clots forming in your arteries,and will make sure that other conditions,such as diabetes or high blood pressure,are well controlled.Special exercise programmes can help people who experience leg pain due to PAD.
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) occurs when the blood vessels that supply blood to your legs become narrow.
Narrowed blood vessels are associated with a number of differet diseases,depending on which vessels are effected.
-In the leg,narrow blood vessels can lead to PAD
-In the heart,narrow blood vessels can lead to angina or heart attack
-In the brain,narrow blood vessels can lead to stroke
Most people with PAD do not feel any symptoms
-In fact many people do not even realise they have the disease.In some people,PAD causes characteristic pains in the legs,called intermittent claudication,usually after walking for a short while.Severe PAD can lead to non-healing wounds or infections such as gangrene.
Why does PAD matter ?
If you don't feel any pain,why does finding out whether you have PAD matter ? Having PAD means you have an increased risk of developing other disease such as coronary artery disease and stroke.This risk can be reduced with a healty lifestyle and appropriate treatment.
How is PAD diagnosed ?
Like high blood pressure or raised blood cholestrol levels,you can often only tell you have PAD when your doctor carries out special tests.The best way to diagnose PAD is by comparing the bllod pressure measured in your arm with that measured in your ankle.Accurate measurements are taken using a small ultrasonic device.The process is painless it's just like having your blood pressure measured,except you will be asked to lie down for a few minutes.A simple questionnaire can help identify people with leg pain due to PAD.
Who gets PAD ?
People who smoke or have diabetes are more likely to develop PAD than those who don't and the likelihood of developing PAD increases with age.Other risk factors include:
-A previous heart attack or stroke
-High blood pressure or high blood cholestrol levels
How is PAD treated ?
The goal for PAD therapy is to reduce your risk of experiencing a heart attack or stroke.Stopping smoking and taking regular walks are excellent ways of doing this.
Your doctor may also recommend medication that preventsw blood clots forming in your arteries,and will make sure that other conditions,such as diabetes or high blood pressure,are well controlled.Special exercise programmes can help people who experience leg pain due to PAD.