PAD is a
serious condition
that should be diagnosed promptly so doctors can reduce your risk as quickly as possible. PAD may be your first warning sign of a serious health problem. Atherosclerosis—or clogging—in the peripheral arteries is dangerous.
Can a healthy person get PAD?
Open wounds on toes or feet that are slow to heal
can also be indicators of PAD. That said, 20-50% of patients are asymptomatic, which helps explain some of the underdiagnosis. PAD affects 1-in-3 people over 50
3
who are living with diabetes.
Is PAD a life threatening disease?
PAD is not immediately life-threatening
, but the process of atherosclerosis that causes it can lead to serious and potentially fatal problems.
When should you worry about a PAD?
Changes in the Appearance of Your Legs
The hair on your legs has thinned or disappeared completely
.
Your skin starts to appear shiny
.
The growth of your toenails
has slowed. The color of one or both of your legs has changed, taking on a bluish tinge.
Can you live a long life with PAD?
You
can still have a full, active lifestyle with peripheral artery disease
, or PAD. The condition happens when plaque builds up in your arteries. This makes it harder for your arms, legs, head, and organs to get enough blood. Although it’s serious and can sometimes be painful, there are lots of ways to slow it down.
Is PAD a death sentence?
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a widely disseminated disease in our country and throughout the world (> 200 million people)
1
. Critical limb ischemia (CLI) represents the end-stage of this terrible ailment and is a
veritable death sentence
for those with the diagnosis.
Does apple cider vinegar clean arteries?
The high-density cholesterol in your body, or good cholesterol,
removes bad cholesterol from your arteries
and helps fight heart attacks and strokes. By consuming the vinegar, you’re increasing bile production and helping support your liver, which are both very important for processing and creating good cholesterol.
Is PAD a terminal disease?
PAD can cause
leg pain
when walking or abdominal pain after eating. It can cause kidneys to fail. Severe PAD can lead to foot or leg amputation. And because of the atherosclerosis connection, many people with PAD die from a heart attack, sudden cardiac arrest, or stroke.
What happens if PAD goes untreated?
If left untreated, patients with PAD can develop serious health problems, including:
Heart attack
: permanent damage to the heart muscle caused by a lack of blood supply to the heart for an extended time. Stroke: interruption of the blood flow to the brain.
What are the warning signs of clogged arteries?
In addition to developing feet and leg issues, clogged arteries can cause you to experience
dizzy, weak feelings
, and heart palpitations. You may also sweat, feel nauseated, or have difficulty breathing.
Is PAD a disability?
If you have been diagnosed with
peripheral arterial disease
(PAD) and it has left you unable to work, you may be eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits. PAD is a documented medical disorder that results from the narrowing in the arteries in the extremities, the legs in particular.
What are the stages of PAD?
| Stage 0 Asymptomatic | Stage 1 Mild claudication | Stage 2 Moderate claudication | Stage 3 Severe claudication | Stage 4 Rest pain |
|---|
What does PAD pain feel like?
Painful cramping in one or both of your hips, thighs or calf muscles after certain activities, such as walking or climbing stairs.
Leg numbness or weakness
.
Coldness
in your lower leg or foot, especially when compared with the other side. Sores on your toes, feet or legs that won’t heal.
Does PAD require surgery?
Surgery is reserved for patients who have the most severe symptoms and complications
. In the most extreme cases, when a leg has gangrene (when body tissue dies) and cannot be saved, amputation may be recommended. This is, however, a last resort and in many cases even when gangrene is present, amputation can be avoided.
Does PAD cause balance problems?
People with PAD have poorer walking endurance, slower walking velocity, and
poorer balance
, compared to individuals without PAD. People with PAD may reduce their walking activity to avoid leg symptoms.
What are the dangers of PAD?
PAD can increase your risk of
heart attack, stroke, and transient ischemic attack
. Doctors diagnose PAD with a physical exam and heart and imaging tests. Treatments include lifestyle changes, medicines, and sometimes surgery.
