Peripheral Arterial Disease, also PAD, narrows arteries in the legs, limiting blood flow to the muscles. Poor circulation can cause pain in a person’s legs or feet when the muscles are at work, like in exercise. Other terminology for this disease can include: Atherosclerotic, claudication, hardening of the arteries, leg cramps from poor circulation, and Peripheral Vascular Disease. This disease usually occurs in older persons, mostly with a history of smoking or diabetes. As a study from the International Journal of Epidemiology suggests, PAD is common disease throughout the American population. This study includes details of intermittent claudication in relevance with PAD. It shows that PAD is “equally common in both sexes.” The differing
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PAD is mostly diagnosed after symptoms are reported. A simple test called an ankle-brachial index (ABI) often is used to diagnose PAD. The ABI compares blood pressure in an ankle to blood pressure in an arm. Other tests that may be used are the Doppler Ultrasound, Treadmill Test, Magnetic Resonance Angiogram, Arteriogram, and Blood Tests. All of which shows different aspects of PAD.
An article from the New England Journal of Medicine shows a study that watched people with the disease for the amount of 10 years. 32 of the 67 patients had died in the 10 year time span due to cardiovascular causes. The conclusion of the exercise confirmed that people with Peripheral Arterial Disease are at high risk of death caused by a cardiovascular problem.
Although death is at high risk, there is a treatment plan for patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease. The treatment for PAD is pretty much the same across the board. Lifestyle changes are the main treatment patients would undergo, but pharmacologic treatment is mostly required to help with the pain of the disease. If the disease continues to majorly affect a patient’s life, surgery would be the next step. Some of the surgeries that could help include: bypass grafting, Angioplasty and stenting, and
PAD is mostly diagnosed after symptoms are reported. A simple test called an ankle-brachial index (ABI) often is used to diagnose PAD. The ABI compares blood pressure in an ankle to blood pressure in an arm. Other tests that may be used are the Doppler Ultrasound, Treadmill Test, Magnetic Resonance Angiogram, Arteriogram, and Blood Tests. All of which shows different aspects of PAD.
An article from the New England Journal of Medicine shows a study that watched people with the disease for the amount of 10 years. 32 of the 67 patients had died in the 10 year time span due to cardiovascular causes. The conclusion of the exercise confirmed that people with Peripheral Arterial Disease are at high risk of death caused by a cardiovascular problem.
Although death is at high risk, there is a treatment plan for patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease. The treatment for PAD is pretty much the same across the board. Lifestyle changes are the main treatment patients would undergo, but pharmacologic treatment is mostly required to help with the pain of the disease. If the disease continues to majorly affect a patient’s life, surgery would be the next step. Some of the surgeries that could help include: bypass grafting, Angioplasty and stenting, and