Terri Ramsey Beavers Peripheral arterial disease is a common condition that involves blocked arteries in the legs. This problem is thought to impact 5% of people above 50 years and is the most vital marker of risk for heart attack and stroke. At Premier Vascular, one of the areas Dr. Nirav Patel is best known for is the treatment of peripheral arterial disease.
Diagnosis of Peripheral Arterial Disease
The testing for peripheral arterial disease is straightforward. Usually, a doctor may use a blood pressure cuff. This disease can present itself in several ways, especially in those who are smokers or diabetic.
Typically, patients who carry all the typical cardiac risk factors are at increased risk for peripheral arterial disease. However, this condition has a very high risk of death over time. At five years after the diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease, the likelihood of survival is reduced by 25%, greater than or equal to conditions such as colon cancer. Patients in advanced stages of peripheral arterial disease survival are significant because they are at risk of dying from stroke.
Symptoms of Peripheral Arterial Disease
Often, patients with peripheral arterial disease complain of:
- Fatigue
- Tiredness or discomfort in the legs
- Thinning of skin
- Pain in the buttocks
Usually, a patient can walk a certain distance, after which they have to stop because the legs will not allow them to go any further. After resting for a few minutes and blood has flowed into the legs, a person can resume their walk only to go a similar distance before stopping again.
The peripheral arterial disease can affect the hips, buttocks, thighs, cuff muscles, and feet.
When you should see a doctor
This disease tends to come on very slowly, and most people do not pay attention to them as much. Often, patients may not realize that they have the disease and blame the problem on old age, immobility, or living a sedentary life.
The slow progressive onset of peripheral arterial disease is what makes it dangerous. Patients usually adjust to the symptoms, for example, resting when feet get tired, only to die suddenly from a stroke. Ultimately, whether the disease becomes fatal or not, the overall quality of life is low, and patients become less cardiovascularly fit, which increases the risk of developing a heart attack. Moreover, if this disease is not paid attention to, especially in diabetics, it increases the risk of leg amputation.
People who have leg discomfort or cannot feel their feet need care right away. Additionally, if you have ulcers in the peripheral region, seek emergency medical care.
With the correct treatment, you can get rid of limb-threatening problems and save your limbs. The mortality rate of patients that require amputation is severe. Most amputated patients are dead within a couple of years because of the loss of mobility. Peripheral arterial disease is a significant problem to pay attention to and get immediate medical care.
Visit Premier Vascular to get practical and efficient peripheral arterial disease treatment to restore blood flow in the legs so that you can roam freely.