PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE

Peripheral vascular disease is narrowing or blockages in the arteries of the legs and arms. The narrowing is usually caused by a buildup of cholesterol and fatty deposits along the artery walls. This process is called hardening of the arteries or atherosclerosis. It happens most often to people who are over age 50. People who smoke or people with diabetes or high cholesterol are also at risk to get this disease.

The first symptom is usually an aching tired feeling in the muscles of the legs when walking. It goes away when walking stops, but will return when walking is started again at the same speed. It can occur in the arms with increased activity as well. Other symptoms may include:

coldness or loss of feeling in the feet and toes
hair loss on the leg or arm involved
thickened nails
pale, shiny, or bluish colored skin and
a sore that does not heal or is slow to heal

The usual treatment of peripheral vascular disease is:

stop smoking
exercise to help increase bloodflow to the legs or arms
taking good care of your skin to avoid rashes or ulcers
special medicine to help heal skin infections or rashes
medicines to help prevent blood clots from forming
stretching the artery with a special balloon during an x-ray procedure
surgery to remove the clot or
surgery to bypass (go around) the blocked area

Stopping smoking is very important since it is a major cause of this disease. Exercise is also an important part of the treatment. Check with your doctor before starting a program of walking or other exercise. If given the approval to begin a walking program, walk up to 20 to 30 min if possible each day or as directed by your doctor. You may have to stop and rest if the pain in your legs becomes too great. Resume walking when the discomfort has gone away. To prevent infection of the feet, inspect and care for them regularly. Wash the feet and change stockings daily. Wear comfortable shoes and trim toenails straight across. There are also new medications available to help control the problems associated with peripheral vascular disease. Check with your doctor to see if medication might be a good choice for you.

For more information, contact your local chapter of the American Heart Association, call the national office at (800) 242-8721 or visit their website at www.americanheart.org.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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