Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a condition in which one’s arteries narrow down, reducing the blood flow to the arms and legs. As a result, one may have severe leg pain while walking and, at advanced stages, may experience restricted mobility. Early diagnosis of peripheral artery disease can help treat it on time and control its symptoms. So, one should be vigilant about its signs and consult a doctor promptly:

Signs and symptoms

1. Burning pain in the feet and toes
Due to the restricted blood flow to the legs, those with peripheral artery disease may experience a burning pain in the feet and toes, especially at night when lying down. Such symptoms typically cause sleep disturbances.

2. Skin reddening
Sudden changes in one’s skin color are common in peripheral artery disease. So, one may experience reddening of the skin. Sometimes, the skin may also change to some other color.

3. Leg numbness and cramping
Lack of blood supply to the legs can cause one to become numb or weak. Sometimes, one may get cramps on the thighs and calf muscles, especially after climbing stairs.

4. Difficulty engaging in manual tasks
Tasks involving fine motor skills, such as writing, can become difficult for those with peripheral artery disease, as one’s limbs may pain or cramp badly. This is because the arms have a meager blood supply.

5. Very little or no hair growth on the legs
Reduced blood flow to the legs can cause one’s skin to dry, leading to hair loss. Consequently, those with peripheral artery disease may have less or no hair growth on their legs.

6. Weak pulse in the legs and feet
Weak or no pulse in the legs or feet is a common sign of peripheral artery disease caused by limited blood supply to the legs.

7. Slow healing of bruises
Blood flow to and from the body part where there is a bruise is essential for it to heal quickly. However, since blood flow is severely restricted among those with PAD, the healing process slows down considerably. As a result, wounds typically take a long time to heal.

Possible causes and risk factors

1. High blood pressure
High blood pressure may cause one’s blood vessels to narrow down, so one’s risk of developing peripheral artery disease increases. So, those prone to elevated blood pressure are at a higher risk of this condition.

2. Diabetes
Diabetes is a significant risk factor for peripheral artery disease, with diabetes patients being twice as vulnerable to the condition as those with regular blood sugar levels. Those with diabetic foot disease are even more prone to this condition.

3. Age
In general, those 50 and above are more vulnerable to peripheral artery disease than the younger population. In any case, if one is experiencing signs and symptoms of the condition, it is best to consult a doctor immediately to prevent it from escalating.

4. High cholesterol
With high LDL cholesterol, plaque tends to accumulate in the arteries quickly. So, people with high cholesterol are at a high risk of developing peripheral artery disease.

Treatment options

1. Angioplasty
Many doctors suggest angioplasty to treat peripheral artery disease. In this, the narrowed part of the arteries is widened by inflating a small balloon-like substance inside the vessel. This procedure is usually more effective for those whose arteries are only narrowed and not completely blocked.

2. Atherectomy
Atherectomy is another option for peripheral artery disease. Here, the arteries blocked by plaque are opened up surgically using a sharp tool. This object dissolves the plaque but does not make a large incision.

3. Treatment to control diabetes, cholesterol, or blood pressure
If diabetes, cholesterol, or blood pressure are peripheral artery disease’s underlying causes or triggers, healthcare experts may recommend treatments to control them. As a result, plaque buildup in the arteries may be reduced. However, these interventions usually work better during the initial stages of the condition. For advanced stages, more invasive procedures like surgeries may be necessary.

4. Bypass surgery
Here, a pathway is created around the blocked artery through a healthy blood vessel from one’s body or an artificial blood vessel. This procedure is usually recommended if the peripheral artery disease has advanced.

5. Thrombolytic therapy
This intervention involves treatment to dissolve clots in the arteries. This treatment may be given directly to the affected artery.

Remedies and tips

• Make heart-healthy food choices – People with peripheral artery disease should avoid processed foods like refined flour, confectioneries, and fried foods, switching to healthier options like lean meats, eggs, olive oil, etc. One should also avoid sugary foods and maintain a healthy food regime.
• Stay physically active – Being physically active benefits the heart, so one should try to be as physically active as possible. Activities like walking, jogging, swimming, and cycling are effective ways to stay fit while healing from peripheral artery disease.
• Manage stress levels – Stress is detrimental to heart health, so one should actively avoid stressful situations like a busy job or too many household responsibilities. It is best to switch to a less stressful role at work or delegate housework efficiently to lead a stress-free life while healing from the disease.