Peripheral Arterial Disease Causes And Symptoms

Peripheral Arterial

Among the consequences of high cholesterol levels, are not only sealing of heart blood vessels but also legs damage. In this situation peripheral arterial disease is very likely to develop. After five years, 20% of people with peripheral arterial disease will suffer a heart attack. Atherosclerosis, a process in which excess bad cholesterol (LDL) is deposited on artery walls, is frequently associated with heart attack but also with peripheral arterial disease. The condition occurs mostly blood circulating in the arms and legs becomes obstructed.Most of the times lower limbs are affected by this condition. The main symptoms are: local leg cramps, pain and difficulty when walking.
Atherosclerosis can cause narrowing and hardening of any artery in the body. When this happen, peripheral arterial disease in your arms, legs and pelvis causes lack of oxygen-rich blood supply. Smokers are prone to develop peripheral arterial disease.

Peripheral Arterial

Peripheral arterial disease involves narrowing or blocked arteries, resulting in diminished blood flow to the lower and upper limbs. During walking or physical activity, muscles do not receive enough blood and painful leg cramps occur.

 Peripheral Arterial Disease Causes

The most common cause is the accumulation of plaque inside arteries, plaques are made of extra cholesterol, calcium and other blood materials. Over time, the plaques build up inside arteries, including those that supply blood to the legs. If plaque builds up in arteries, blood flow will be obstructed and the flow will be reduced. Each part of a person’s body needs oxygen-rich blood and plaques prevents blood supply to the muscles and other tissues located in the lower body. The process of formation and concentration of plaque occurs simultaneously throughout the body and the main result is the hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). Obstruction of blood supply will not only manifest in the legs but also in the heart and brain, increasing the chances of developing a heart attack or stroke.

Plaque builds gradually during life and often symptoms do not appear until the age of 65. High cholesterol, hypertension, smoking are risk factors for atherosclerosis and peripheral arterial disease. The good news is that the disease can be treated.

Peripheral Arterial Disease Symptoms

• Leg pain – a common symptom of periphery artery disease is claudication: leg pain or discomfort that occurs due to clogged arteries and lack of blood supply to the legs to support their effort. Some people feel their feet very heavy or tired or a burning sensation. Pain may be located in any part of the leg, the thigh or the buttock and may include one or both legs. Symptom triggers are long distance walks without rest.

Peripheral Arterial

• Cramps during the night – During sleep, people with periphery artery disease may exeprience muscle cramps or spasms, usually located in the heel, foot or toes. Pain can be relieved by swinging the leg at the edge of the bed or chair, allowing gravity restore some blood flow in the legs.
• Changes in skin and nails – Peripheral arterial disease can cause changes in leg nails and skin. Due to the fact that feet are not irrigated with normal blood flow, the feet will suffer from hair loss. The skin may become glossy and feet nails may thicken or grow more slowly. All these events occur together, usually
• Unusual color of the skin – One of the specific symptoms of peripheral arterial disease is changes in skin color of the legs, which may become whitish. However after the leg is swinging on the edge of a chair, the skin will become red or purple because the body dilates blood vessels to increase blood flow to the legs. In some cases, feet or toes become pale or blue from the lack of circulation.
• Cold Feet – The feet cold to the touch may indicate the presence of peripheral arterial disease. Even if this is not the best sign or symptom of peripheral arterial disease, it should be noted by the physician.
• Wounds that will not heal – In people suffering from peripheral arterial disease this indicates an advanced stage, reduction of the circulation can cause difficulty in healing ulcers of the legs. Known as ischemic ulcers, they should be treated quickly. The color may be brown or black and often painful.
• Erectile dysfunction – This is not a common symptom of peripheral arterial disease, but it is present in some cases. If the internal iliac arteries that supply the necessary blood for a normal erection are blocked, the result can be erectile dysfunction.
• Numbness or weakness of the legs – If a person feels his legs numb or weak while resting, it could be a sign of the peripheral arterial disease.
• Atrophy of calf muscles – In advanced stages of peripheral arterial disease, the leg muscles may present atrophy or calf size may diminish.
• Tissue death – In most people the peripheral arterial disease symptoms are mild and tolerable, but a small fraction of patients may experience extreme symptoms. In advanced stages of peripheral arterial disease tissue death and even gangrene can occur.