Ways to Treat Peripheral Artery Disease
What is Peripheral Artery Disease?
Peripheral Artery Disease is a condition where the peripheral arteries which carry blood to the legs, stomach, arms, and head are narrowed down. Peripheral artery disease is also known as PAD and is often caused by atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis is a condition where fat deposits buildup in your artery walls and reduce blood flow. This is usually associated with the heart, but this condition affects arteries throughout the body and leads to PAD.
How to treat PAD
Peripheral Artery Disease treatment is a mix of lifestyle changes, medications and in extreme cases, medical procedures for control. Let us see what changes we need to make in order to manage this disease:-
Exercise: – Exercise is very important to manage this condition. It does not only help control the growth of this condition, but it also helps in peripheral artery disease treatment. Exercise does not mean heavy-duty or gym-related exercises, but even a simple regular walk will make a huge impact. Initially walking will be painful but as the condition improves, the pain will decrease as the blood flow to the legs will increase.
Balanced Diet: – One should always have a balanced diet, but in case a person is diagnosed with PAD, then it is very important that the person has a high fiber and low cholesterol diet. The person should also control the intake of saturated and trans fat as well as sodium. If a person is overweight, then it is very important to lose the extra weight and control cholesterol levels.
No Smoking: – People who smoke have increased chances of suffering from PAD. The use of tobacco must be immediately stopped. Smoking is bad for the body in many ways and quitting will lead to overall good health.
Managing other health conditions: – If the person has underlying conditions, such as diabetes or other heart conditions, taking medications for proper care may be needed. Managing these underlying conditions is very important as these can lead to PAD and may in fact, be life-threatening.
The other way of peripheral artery disease treatment is the use of medications and procedures:-
Medications: – There is no direct medication for PAD, but the use of medication is done to control the conditions which cause PAD. Doctors may prescribe medication for cholesterol control, high blood pressure regulation, and for blood clot formations.
Medical Procedures: – In extreme conditions, peripheral artery disease medical procedures, such as Angioplasty, may be considered. Angioplasty is a procedure done to widen the blocked artery to increase blood flow. Another procedure a cardiologist may recommend is Atherectomy. A procedure used to remove plaque buildup. Lastly, Thrombolytic therapy may be considered, in which a drug is injected into the artery to get rid of a clot.
As you can see, proper lifestyle and the use of necessary medications may control PAD and ensure a healthy active lifestyle.
*Content is made for educational purposes. Please consult your cardiologist should you experience heart-related conditions*