Thursday, November 20, 2008
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PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE
What causes Peripheral Artery Disease?
Several risk factors contribute to Peripheral Artery Disease:
· High Blood Pressure
· Smoking
· Family history of heart disease or vascular disease
· Overweight
· Diabetes
· Stress
· High fat High cholesterol diet
What are the symptoms of Peripheral Artery Disease?
· Ache, pain, cramps or tightness with walking & relieved with rest.
· Skin ulcers
· Pain at night relieved with hanging legs over the edge of the bed.
More severe symptoms maybe:
· Severe pain
· Pale color to the leg
· No pulse
· Numbness or tingling
· Cool to touch
· Inability to move the leg
How is Peripheral Artery Disease detected?
A history & physical by your doctor
Noninvasive testing:
· Ankle brachial indices (ABIs)- A screening method that checks the pressures in your vessels in efforts to determine potential blockage.
· Duplex Scan/Ultrasound - A doppler microphone is placed over your skin and produces images of the vessel on a screen to determine if a blockage is present.
· CT Scan - produces x-ray views of the vessel and provides information on the size & location of the vessel.
Invasive testing:
· Angiogram - Dye is injected into an artery and the vessel is visualized with x-ray to detect blockages.
What treatments are available for Peripheral Artery Disease?
**There is no cure for peripheral artery disease but the symptoms can be relieved through modifying risk factors and medication or invasive treatments.
Controlling risk factors related to Peripheral Artery Disease.
Medications:
· Blood thinners - prevent blood clots from forming or getting larger.
· Thrombolytic drugs - dissolve clots & restore blood flow through an intravenous line. This medication usually requires hospitalization to administer.
· Antilipid medications - decrease cholesterol levels
Invasive Treatments:
· Angioplasty or Stents - balloon type catheters are used to open blocked arteries.
· Bypass Surgery - A graft is used to bypass the blocked area allowing blood to flow through a new passage way.
VENOUS INSUFFICIENCY
Venous Insufficiency occurs when incompetent valves cause pooling of blood in the legs.
What causes Venous Insufficiency?
Deep vein thrombosis or phlebitis which leave scars and cause the valve to not close properly.
What are the symptoms of Venous Insufficiency?
· Pain while standing which is relieved with elevation of the leg.
· Swelling & tenderness of the leg
· Skin discoloration
· Dry, scaly skin
· Ulcers or sores
How does the doctor diagnose venous Insufficiency?
Noninvasive test:
· Doppler Ultrasound/duplex scan - a small ultrasound microphone assesses the flow of the blood through the veins & determines any blockages.
Invasive test:
· Venogram - Dye is injected into the affected leg & blood flow is observed with the use of
x-ray.
What treatments are available for Venous Insufficiency?
Control of risk factors contributing to Venous Insufficiency
Medical Treatments may include:
· Antibiotics for infection if present
· Diuretics (water pill) to decrease swelling
Surgical Treatments
· Bypass surgery
· Sclerotherapy
· Venous ablation
REDUCING RISK FACTORS FOR CIRCULATORY DISEASE
How can I reduce my risk for Circulatory Problems?
· No smoking - smoking is a major cause of blood vessels to narrow
· Exercise - regular exercise has many benefits such as:
§ Decrease in body weight
§ Controlling cholesterol levels
§ Controlling stress levels
§ Controlling high blood pressure levels
§ Improves circulation by enlarging smaller blood vessels around an obstructed area thereby decreasing the risk for circulation problems.
· Diet
§ Eat a well balanced diet.
§ Decrease your salt intake (salt can cause fluid build up in the legs)
§ Decrease the fat & cholesterol in your diet.
Things to do if you have circulatory problems:
· Avoid standing or sitting in one position for a long period of time.
· Elevate your legs several times a day.
· Dress sensibly, avoid constrictive clothing.
· Use good foot care to prevent any infection or sores.
· Have regular check-ups and notify your doctor of any unusual symptoms.