Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)

Signature Health Services can help with the management and treatment of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD).

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)and how we care for it

What is Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)?

Peripheral artery disease, also known as PAD, results in decreased blood flow in arms and legs due to artery obstruction. It prevents blood from transporting to the heart and the legs. It is primarily caused by atherosclerosis, the accumulation of fatty plaque in the arteries. PAD may occur in any blood artery; however, it is far more prevalent in the legs than in the arms.

What are the symptoms?

Plenty of individuals with peripheral artery disease have minimal or no symptoms. Some people can experience leg soreness while walking or other symptoms that are easy to confuse with something else.

Typically, the discomfort is mainly in the calf. The severity of the pain varies from minor to severe. Extreme leg discomfort may make walking or engaging in other physical exercises difficult.

There may be other symptoms of peripheral artery disease, such as:

Lower leg or foot chilliness.
Leg tingling or weakness.
Absence or weakness of a pulse in the legs or feet.
Muscle spasms in the hips, thighs, or calves after particular movements, such as walking or climbing stairs.
Shiny skin.
Legs have several tones of pigmentation.
Toenails may grow slowly.
Non-healing sores on the legs or arms.
Arm pain, including hurting and cramping while crocheting, writing, or doing other manual chores.
Little to no hair growth on the legs.

If peripheral artery disease worsens, resting or lying down may cause discomfort. Legs dangling over the side of the bed or walking may provide temporary pain relief. PAD may even prevent the patient from sleeping.

Keep in mind that:

Many individuals confuse the symptoms of PAD with other conditions.
PAD is often misdiagnosed or even ignored by medical experts.
Individuals with peripheral artery disease are more susceptible to coronary artery disease, heart attack, and strokes.
PAD may lead to gangrene and amputation if left untreated.

What causes PAD?

An unhealthy lifestyle leads to this condition. A sedentary life mixed with bad habits like smoking causes poor blood flow and, therefore, artery obstruction.

PAD affects both men and women; however, women have higher rates of peripheral artery disease than males, despite having fewer cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and growing older increase the chance of getting PAD.

The following are some of the less prevalent causes of peripheral artery disease:

Inflammation of blood vessels
Arms or legs are injured
Muscle or ligament alterations
Exposure to radiation

Does PAD have a cure?

Although there is no cure for peripheral arterial disease (PAD), lifestyle adjustments and medication might help alleviate symptoms.

These medicines may also lower your chance of acquiring other cardiovascular illnesses.

Surgery may be performed in extreme situations or when other treatments have failed to relieve the symptoms.

How can Signature Health Services help a patient with PAD?

At Signature Health Services, our skilled nurses provide post-operative care to patients that have difficulty carrying out their daily activities until recovery. Check our specialties page to know more about us and our services.

For more information on how Signature Health Services can help with your healthcare needs, please call 1 (800) 277-8291 or email information@signaturehealthservices.net.