Everything You Need To Know About Peripheral Artery Disease Treatment
Peripheral artery disease refers to a narrowing of the peripheral arteries which transport blood away from the heart to other body parts. Peripheral artery disease is generally a sign of the deposit of fatty deposits in the arteries. Here, we will cover various topics about peripheral artery disease, such as what is peripheral artery disease, what are the causes and symptoms of high peripheral artery disease, how to prepare for peripheral artery disease treatment, who are the best doctors for peripheral artery disease treatment in India, and which are the top hospitals for peripheral artery disease treatment in India.
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Table Of Index
What is peripheral artery disease?
Peripheral artery disease is a condition where narrowed arteries decrease blood flow to the legs or arms. In peripheral artery disease, the arms or legs do not get sufficient blood flow to keep up with demand. This might lead to leg pain while walking and other symptoms. This disease is generally an indication of a buildup of fatty deposits in arteries.
Causes and Symptoms
Causes
- Changes in muscles/ligaments
- Blood vessel inflammation
- Radiation exposure
- Arms/legs injury
- A family history
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Aging
Symptoms
- Pain in the feet and toes
- Redness of your skin
- Frequent skin, soft tissue infection
- Shiny skin on the legs
- Slower growth of toenails
- Sores on toes and legs
- Hair loss on the legs
- Erectile dysfunction
Diagnosis
Blood tests: Blood tests are carried out to look for conditions related to peripheral artery disease like high triglycerides, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Ankle-brachial index: This is a test used to detect PAD. The test compares the level of blood pressure in ankle and the arm. The patient might be told to walk on a treadmill. Blood pressure measurement may be done before and after exercise to check the arteries during walk.
Ultrasound of feet or leg: This test will use sound waves to check how blood flows through blood vessels. Doppler ultrasound is a kind of ultrasound used to see blocked or narrowed arteries.
Angiography: This test will use X-rays, computerized tomography scans or magnetic resonance imaging scans to detect blockages in arteries. Before the images are captured, dye is injected in a blood vessel. The dye will help show arteries more clearly on the test images.
Risk & Complications
Like any risk, peripheral artery disease surgery is associated with several complications such as blood clot in the legs which might travel to the lungs, allergic reaction to medicines, heart attack or stroke, and breathing problems. The surgery may also cause damage to the nerve which causes pain or numbness in the leg, damage to the bowel, and damage to nearby organs. Other complications may include excess bleeding, injury to nearby nerves and infection in the surgical cut.
Preparation of Treatment
Check with the doctor about taking any medications as some might need to be stopped before the procedure. If you are taking SGLT2 medicine for diabetes, you will have to stop taking them around three days before your surgery. Prepare your home properly for when you return from the hospital. Arrange for someone who can take you to and from the hospital. You need to get some important tests done such as an ECG, blood tests, chest X-ray, carotid dopplers and nose and groin swabs. Shower with antibacterial soap before undergoing the surgery to prevent any infections. Avoid tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption as these may interfere with your procedure.
How to prevent peripheral artery disease?
Adopting healthy lifestyle changes may help you manage peripheral artery disease symptoms as well as prevent them from getting worse.
Quit smoking: Smoking causes damage to the arteries. It raises the risk for peripheral artery disease. If you are affected with PAD, smoking may make the condition worse. If you want to quit smoking, ask your doctor about the strategies and medications that may help.
Do exercise: Exercise is considered an important part of PAD treatment. Doing regular exercise will help the body use oxygen properly and improve symptoms of peripheral artery disease. Sometimes, exercise which will help you get better can lead to pain. But as you continue doing exercise, you will be able to walk for duration without pain. Your doctor will recommend supervised exercise therapy in order to increase the distance you can walk without pain.
Eat a healthy diet: You need to have a heart-healthy diet which is low in saturated fat to help control your blood pressure and the level of cholesterol.
Avoid certain cold and sinus medications. Products containing pseudoephedrine tighten blood vessels and might worsen PAD symptoms.
Foot care: Besides making lifestyle changes, take proper care of your feet. Individuals with peripheral artery disease, particularly those who are affected with diabetes, are at more risk of poor wound healing and sore on the lower legs and feet.
Treatment Option
To treat peripheral artery disease (PAD), your doctor might prescribe certain medications such as statins which help reduce bad cholesterol levels and cut plaque buildup in the arteries. Other drugs include blood pressure drugs, medications to control blood sugar, and medicines to prevent blood clots.
Angioplasty and stent placement: This procedure is performed to open blocked arteries. This technique can help diagnose as well as treat a clogged vessel at the same time. The surgeon inserts a thin tube (catheter) to the narrowed portion of the artery. A small balloon is inflated to widen the clogged artery and boost blood flow. A tiny wire mesh tube might be placed in the artery for keeping the artery open.
Bypass surgery: The surgeon will create a path around the clogged artery with the help of a healthy blood vessel from another body part or a synthetic one.
Thrombolytic therapy: In case a blood clot is clogging the artery, a clot-dissolving drug will be given into the affected artery.
Cost of the treatment
Cost of peripheral artery disease treatment
The cost of peripheral artery disease treatment in India ranges from $1300 to $3000. However, peripheral artery disease treatment cost in India can vary from individual to individual depending on a wide range of factors like treatment approach used, facilities availed, age of the patient, experience of the surgeons and type of the hospital. The cost of peripheral artery disease treatment in India is lower compared to many other nations across the world.
Recovery
Recovery after peripheral artery disease treatment
Recovery after bypass surgery for peripheral artery disease will differ for everyone. Generally, you will be required to spend a few days in the hospital. The doctor might recommend some physical therapies during the recovery. During and after the recovery, you might feel tired for a few weeks and experience mild pain at the incision point along with swelling in the legs as the body heals. Once the blood flow is restored, you may feel that your symptoms are not as bad. They can go away completely after your surgery. However, it is crucial to maintain a healthy lifestyle to avert future blockages from returning.
Frequently Asked Questions About Peripheral Artery Disease
You can live a long life with peripheral artery disease. In case you are overweight, losing only 5% of body weight may help lower your overall chances of developing some risk factors for PAD like high cholesterol or high blood pressure.
The treatment of peripheral artery disease will depend on the severity of the problem. Treatment options range from medications to basic lifestyle changes to surgery.
The treatment of peripheral artery disease will depend on the severity of the problem. Treatment options range from medications to basic lifestyle changes to surgery.
Yes, peripheral artery disease could be dangerous as these blockages may restrict circulation to the limbs and organs. Without sufficient blood flow, vital organs, feet, arms and legs can suffer damage. If left untreated, the tissues may die or become infected, a condition known as gangrene.
The pain can range from severe to mild, and generally disappear after a few minutes when you rest the legs. Both the legs may often get affected at the same time, although pain might get worse in a single leg. Other symptoms of peripheral artery disease can include hair loss on feet and legs.
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