Question: What are the symptoms of Peripheral Arterial Disease (P.A.D.) ?
Answer: Common Symptoms Some people with P.A.D. do not have any symptoms. Others may have a number of signs and symptoms. People who have P.A.D. may notice symptoms when walking or climbing stairs. These symptoms may include pain, aching, or heaviness in the leg muscles. Symptoms may also include - pain - aching, or heaviness in the leg muscles - cramping in the affected leg(s) and in the buttocks, thighs, calves, and feet. pain aching, or heaviness in the leg muscles cramping in the affected leg(s) and in the buttocks, thighs, calves, and feet. They may go away after resting. These symptoms are called intermittent claudication (klaw-dih-KA-shen). If You Have Leg Pain If you have leg pain when you walk or climb stairs, talk to your doctor. Sometimes older people think that leg pain is part of aging when it could be P.A.D. Tell your doctor if you're feeling pain in your legs, and discuss whether you should be tested for P.A.D. Other Possible Signs Possible signs of P.A.D. include - weak or absent pulses in the legs or feet - sores or wounds on the toes, feet, or legs that heal slowly, poorly, or not at all - a pale or bluish color to the skin - a lower temperature in one leg compared to the other leg - poor toenail growth and decreased leg hair growth - erectile dysfunction, especially in men who have diabetes. weak or absent pulses in the legs or feet sores or wounds on the toes, feet, or legs that heal slowly, poorly, or not at all a pale or bluish color to the skin a lower temperature in one leg compared to the other leg poor toenail growth and decreased leg hair growth erectile dysfunction, especially in men who have diabetes. Should I be Checked for P.A.D.? Even if you don't have symptoms or signs of P.A.D., you could still have the disease. Ask your doctor whether you should get checked for P.A.D. if you are - age 70 or older - age 50 or older and have a history of smoking or diabetes - younger than 50 years old and have diabetes and one or more risk factors for atherosclerosis. These risk factors include high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, smoking, and being overweight. age 70 or older age 50 or older and have a history of smoking or diabetes younger than 50 years old and have diabetes and one or more risk factors for atherosclerosis. These risk factors include high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, smoking, and being overweight.
Source: NIHSeniorHealth

Question: What is (are) Peripheral Arterial Disease (P.A.D.) ?
Answer: Peripheral arterial disease (P.A.D.) is a disease in which plaque (plak) builds up in the arteries that carry blood to your head, organs, and limbs. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, fibrous tissue, and other substances in the blood. P.A.D. currently affects millions of Americans, and about 1 in every 20 Americans over the age of 50 has P.A.D.
Source: NIHSeniorHealth

Question: What causes Peripheral Arterial Disease (P.A.D.) ?
Answer: The most common cause of P.A.D. is atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque in the arteries. Over time, plaque can harden and narrow the arteries. This limits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your organs and other parts of your body.
Source: NIHSeniorHealth

Question: Who is at risk for Peripheral Arterial Disease (P.A.D.)? ?
Answer: Smoking is the main risk factor for P.A.D. Your risk of P.A.D. increases four times if you smoke. Smoking also raises your risk for other diseases, such as coronary heart disease (CHD). On average, smokers who develop P.A.D. have symptoms 10 years earlier than nonsmokers who develop P.A.D. As you get older, your risk for P.A.D. increases, usually starting in your fifties. Older age combined with other risk factors, such as smoking or diabetes, also puts you at higher risk. African American men and women have a greater risk of developing P.A.D. than Caucasians. Your risk for P.A.D. is higher if you have diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, or have had a stroke. A family history of these conditions also makes P.A.D. more likely.
Source: NIHSeniorHealth

Question: What are the symptoms of Peripheral Arterial Disease (P.A.D.) ?
Answer: People who have P.A.D. may have symptoms when walking or climbing stairs. These may include pain, numbness, aching, or heaviness in the leg muscles. Symptoms may also include cramping in the affected leg(s) and in the buttocks, thighs, calves, and feet. Some possible signs of P.A.D. include - weak or absent pulses in the legs or feet - sores or wounds on the toes, feet, or legs that heal slowly - a pale or bluish color to the skin - poor nail growth on the toes and decreased hair growth on the legs - erectile dysfunction, especially among men who have diabetes. weak or absent pulses in the legs or feet sores or wounds on the toes, feet, or legs that heal slowly a pale or bluish color to the skin poor nail growth on the toes and decreased hair growth on the legs erectile dysfunction, especially among men who have diabetes.
Source: NIHSeniorHealth

Question: How to diagnose Peripheral Arterial Disease (P.A.D.) ?
Answer: There are several tests used to diagnose P.A.D. These include - an ankle-brachial index (ABI). This test compares blood pressure in your ankle to blood pressure in your arm. It shows how well blood is flowing in your limbs. - a Doppler ultrasound. This test uses sound waves to show whether a blood vessel is blocked. A blood pressure cuff and special device measure blood flow in the veins and arteries of the limbs. A Doppler ultrasound can help find out how where P.A.D. is. - a treadmill test. This test shows if you have any problems during normal walking, how severe your symptoms are, and what level of exercise brings them on. - a magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA). This test uses magnetic and radio waves to take pictures of your blood vessels. An MRA can find the location of a blocked blood vessel and show how severe the blockage is. - an arteriogram. This test is used to find the exact location of a blocked artery. Dye is injected through a needle or catheter (thin tube) into an artery, then an X-ray is taken. The pictures from the X-ray can show the location, type, and extent of the blockage in the artery. - blood tests. These tests check for P.A.D. risk factors such as diabetes and high blood cholesterol levels. an ankle-brachial index (ABI). This test compares blood pressure in your ankle to blood pressure in your arm. It shows how well blood is flowing in your limbs. a Doppler ultrasound. This test uses sound waves to show whether a blood vessel is blocked. A blood pressure cuff and special device measure blood flow in the veins and arteries of the limbs. A Doppler ultrasound can help find out how where P.A.D. is. a treadmill test. This test shows if you have any problems during normal walking, how severe your symptoms are, and what level of exercise brings them on. a magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA). This test uses magnetic and radio waves to take pictures of your blood vessels. An MRA can find the location of a blocked blood vessel and show how severe the blockage is. an arteriogram. This test is used to find the exact location of a blocked artery. Dye is injected through a needle or catheter (thin tube) into an artery, then an X-ray is taken. The pictures from the X-ray can show the location, type, and extent of the blockage in the artery. blood tests. These tests check for P.A.D. risk factors such as diabetes and high blood cholesterol levels.
Source: NIHSeniorHealth

Question: How to prevent Peripheral Arterial Disease (P.A.D.) ?
Answer: Treatment and prevention for P.A.D. often includes making long-lasting lifestyle changes, such as - quitting smoking - lowering blood pressure - lowering high blood cholesterol levels - lowering high blood glucose levels if you have diabetes - getting regular physical activity - following a healthy eating plan that's low in total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, and sodium (salt). quitting smoking lowering blood pressure lowering high blood cholesterol levels lowering high blood glucose levels if you have diabetes getting regular physical activity following a healthy eating plan that's low in total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, and sodium (salt). Two examples of healthy eating plans are Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH).
Source: NIHSeniorHealth

Question: What are the treatments for Peripheral Arterial Disease (P.A.D.) ?
Answer: Yes. In some people, lifestyle changes are not enough to control P.A.D. Surgery and other procedures may be needed. These may include bypass grafting surgery, angioplasty, a stent, or a procedure called atherectomy (ath-eh-REK-to-mee). - Your doctor may recommend bypass grafting surgery if blood flow in your limb is blocked or nearly blocked. In this type of surgery, a blood vessel from another part of the body or a man-made tube is used to make a graft. This graft bypasses (goes around) the blocked part of the artery, which allows blood to flow around the blockage. This surgery doesn't cure P.A.D., but it may increase blood flow to the affected limb. Your doctor may recommend bypass grafting surgery if blood flow in your limb is blocked or nearly blocked. In this type of surgery, a blood vessel from another part of the body or a man-made tube is used to make a graft. This graft bypasses (goes around) the blocked part of the artery, which allows blood to flow around the blockage. This surgery doesn't cure P.A.D., but it may increase blood flow to the affected limb. - Angioplasty is used to restore blood flow through a narrowed or blocked artery. During this procedure, a catheter (thin tube) with a balloon or other device on the end is inserted into a blocked artery. The balloon is inflated, which pushes the plaque outward against the wall of the artery. This widens the artery and restores blood flow. Angioplasty is used to restore blood flow through a narrowed or blocked artery. During this procedure, a catheter (thin tube) with a balloon or other device on the end is inserted into a blocked artery. The balloon is inflated, which pushes the plaque outward against the wall of the artery. This widens the artery and restores blood flow. - A stent (a small mesh tube) may be placed in the artery during angioplasty. A stent helps keep the artery open after the procedure is done. Some stents are coated with medicine to help prevent blockages in the artery. A stent (a small mesh tube) may be placed in the artery during angioplasty. A stent helps keep the artery open after the procedure is done. Some stents are coated with medicine to help prevent blockages in the artery. - A procedure called atherectomy (ath-eh-REK-to-mee) may be used to remove plaque buildup from an artery. During the procedure, a catheter (thin tube) is used to insert a small cutting device into the blocked artery. The device is used to shave or cut off the plaque. The bits of plaque are removed from the body through the catheter or washed away in the bloodstream (if theyre small enough). Doctors also can do atherectomy using a special laser that dissolves the blockage. A procedure called atherectomy (ath-eh-REK-to-mee) may be used to remove plaque buildup from an artery. During the procedure, a catheter (thin tube) is used to insert a small cutting device into the blocked artery. The device is used to shave or cut off the plaque. The bits of plaque are removed from the body through the catheter or washed away in the bloodstream (if theyre small enough). Doctors also can do atherectomy using a special laser that dissolves the blockage.
Source: NIHSeniorHealth

Question: what research (or clinical trials) is being done for Peripheral Arterial Disease (P.A.D.) ?
Answer: The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) supports research aimed at learning more about peripheral arterial disease (P.A.D.). For example, NHLBI-supported research on P.A.D. includes studies that - explore whether group walking sessions increase physical activity in people who have P.A.D. - compare how effective certain exercise programs are at reducing leg pain in people who have P.A.D. - examine how inflammation and insulin resistance affect people who have P.A.D. explore whether group walking sessions increase physical activity in people who have P.A.D. compare how effective certain exercise programs are at reducing leg pain in people who have P.A.D. examine how inflammation and insulin resistance affect people who have P.A.D. Much of this research depends on the willingness of volunteers to take part in clinical trials. Clinical trials test new ways to prevent, diagnose, or treat various diseases and conditions. Carefully conducted clinical trials are the fastest and safest way to find treatments that work in people and ways to improve health. For more information about clinical trials related to P.A.D., talk with your doctor. You also can visit the following Web sites to learn more about clinical research and to search for clinical trials. - http://www.nih.gov/health/clinicaltrials/ - http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/studies/index.htm - https://www.researchmatch.org/ - http://www.cleverstudy.org/ http://www.nih.gov/health/clinicaltrials/ http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/studies/index.htm https://www.researchmatch.org/ http://www.cleverstudy.org/
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Question: What is (are) Peripheral Arterial Disease (P.A.D.) ?
Answer: Here are links to more information about P.A.D. from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. - What Is Peripheral Arterial Disease? - Atherosclerosis - The DASH Eating Plan - Facts about P.A.D. - Facts about P.A.D. (Spanish) - Facts About P.A.D. for African Americans - Keep the Beat: Heart Healthy Recipes - Smoking and Your Heart - Your Guide to Physical Activity and Your Heart - Stay in Circulation: Take Steps to Learn about P.A.D. - Stay in Circulation: Take Steps to Learn about P.A.D. Wallet Card - Your Guide to Lowering Your Blood Pressure with DASH - Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol with TLC What Is Peripheral Arterial Disease? Atherosclerosis The DASH Eating Plan Facts about P.A.D. Facts about P.A.D. (Spanish) Facts About P.A.D. for African Americans Keep the Beat: Heart Healthy Recipes Smoking and Your Heart Your Guide to Physical Activity and Your Heart Stay in Circulation: Take Steps to Learn about P.A.D. Stay in Circulation: Take Steps to Learn about P.A.D. Wallet Card Your Guide to Lowering Your Blood Pressure with DASH Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol with TLC For print resources and materials on P.A.D. visit http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/pad/index.html
Source: NIHSeniorHealth