Treatment Options for Peripheral Arterial Disease
Did you know that peripheral arterial disease affects about 14 % of the world’s population? The peripheral arterial disease occurs when blood is restricted in your leg arteries, leading to insufficient nutrients and oxygen. The disease develops gradually, and when not treated, it may lead to complications such as leg amputation. Smoking, diabetes, obesity, and hypertension increase your chances of peripheral arterial disease. The peripheral arterial disease Coconut Creek specialist can help you find treatment before it’s too late. This blog post will explain more about the peripheral arterial disease.
What is peripheral arterial disease?
Peripheral arterial disease usually occurs due to unhealthy lifestyles, including lack of physical exercise, unhealthy diets, and smoking. Your risk for the disease also increases when you have chronic conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension. Your provider performs a thorough diagnosis to develop a treatment plan. Your treatment plan depends on your disease severity. The treatment focuses on improving your symptoms, lowering the risk of complications such as leg amputation, and restoring your leg and life function. Your treatment may include the following.
Lifestyle changes
Lifestyle modifications may include various factors such as healthy diets and stopping smoking and staying active. Unhealthy foods increase your cholesterol which may lead to the clogging of arteries. Healthy foods such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables can make your arteries healthy promoting circulation. Smoking increases your risk for peripheral arterial disease by four times. Quitting smoking can prevent disease complications. Excessive weight leads to diabetes and high blood cholesterol. Weight loss can lower your risk for peripheral arterial disease and promote your health. Regular physical exercise is good for your health and can prevent PAD. Your provider may recommend supervised or home exercise programs to improve blood circulation in your legs. Managing your stress levels improves your health, enhancing quality sleep and overall health.
Medications
Your vascular specialist may recommend prescription medications to treat peripheral arterial disease and lower your risk of complications. Antiplatelet medicines to prevent blood clots and statins reduce cholesterol and fats in the blood. There may also be medicines to lower blood pressure.
Angioplasty
It is a minimally invasive procedure to open blocked and restricted arteries. Your provider blows up a small balloon in the artery to flatten the plaque. They may coat the balloon with medicine to heal the artery. The vascular specialist may also place a small mesh tube inside the artery to prevent the narrowing of the artery.
Bypass surgery
You may benefit from bypass surgery if angioplasty does not provide relief. Bypass surgery may relieve severe pain and enhance wound healing. Your provider creates a new path around the narrowed artery using another blood vessel piece from your body. These minimally invasive procedures restore blood flow in the blocked artery, supporting blood circulation.
Seek medical attention when you have leg pain or cramping that becomes more when walking and wears off when you rest. Slow-healing wounds on your legs or feet may also indicate peripheral arterial disease. Early treatment may help prevent complications. Contact South Florida Vascular Associates today if you have aching and cramping legs to schedule a consultation.