Peripheral artery disease is a condition characterized by a narrowing of the arteries. This causes problems with blood circulation and affects blood flow to the body’s extremities, meaning that the limbs do not receive as much blood as they require to function. In some cases, the blood flow to the heart and brain may also be affected. Several factors put one at risk of developing peripheral artery disease. Luckily, most of these factors are controllable:
1. Smoking
Smoking is one of the most significant contributors to the development of peripheral artery disease. According to studies, individuals who smoke regularly are four times more likely to develop this condition. Therefore, it is necessary that habitual smokers quit this habit if they want to to reduce their risk of developing peripheral artery disease.
2. Diabetes mellitus
Individuals with diabetes face a higher risk of developing peripheral artery disease. Undergoing essential treatment and following a healthy lifestyle—in particular, managing sugar levels—are important steps in controlling diabetes and keeping peripheral artery disease at bay.
3. Obesity
According to a study in the Journal of the American Heart Association from researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, people who are obese are 1.5 times more likely to develop peripheral artery disease. Specifically, people with obesity are more likely to develop peripheral artery disease with critical limb ischemia, which is a serious arterial blockage that is sometimes treated through limb amputation. The best way to reduce this risk is to lose weight, which can also help control other risk factors for peripheral artery disease.
4. High blood pressure
High blood pressure is known as “the silent killer” because it has no noticeable symptoms. Unfortunately, this condition can increase a person’s risk of developing various health ailments, including acting as a trigger for peripheral artery disease. Therefore, it is important for patients to be aware of their blood pressure and, if high blood pressure develops, to try to keep it in check.
5. Uncontrollable factors for peripheral artery disease
Unfortunately, there are also uncontrollable factors, such as aging, genetics, and medical conditions like cardiovascular disease or stroke, that increase the risk of developing peripheral artery disease. This is why it’s so important to understand the controllable risk factors that can trigger the disease and work to gain control of them as much as possible.
6. Symptoms of peripheral artery disease
In many cases, peripheral artery disease is mistaken for other conditions. Therefore, there is a high risk of this condition going undiagnosed. However, it is vital for the condition to be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible, as one can potentially develop gangrene or critical limb ischemia, followed by the need for amputation if the disease is left untreated for too long. While the condition will usually exhibit no symptoms, it does sometimes cause very mild symptoms, including:
- Leg pain or claudication
- Weak pulse in the legs and feet
- Erectile dysfunction in men
- Slow growth of toenails
- A noticeable sheen on the skin of the legs or a change in the color of the legs
- Sores on the toes
- Numbness in the legs
- Chills in the lower part of the leg
- Pain that disrupts the patient’s sleep
