PAD

Peripheral Arterial and Venous Disease

INFORMATION FROM THE AMERIAN HEART ASSOCIATION -

https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/peripheral-artery-disease/about-peripheral-artery-disease-pad

PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL DISEASE

PAD is similar to coronary artery disease (CAD). Peripheral artery disease is a narrowing of the peripheral arteries serving the legs, stomach, arms, and head. (“Peripheral” in this case means away from the heart, in the outer regions of the body.) PAD most commonly affects arteries in the legs.

Both PAD and coronary artery disease (CAD) are caused by atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis narrows and blocks arteries in critical regions of the body.

Quick facts about PAD

The most common symptoms of PAD involving the lower extremities are cramping, pain or tiredness in the leg or hip muscles while walking or climbing stairs. Typically, this pain goes away with rest and returns when you walk again.

Be aware that:

• Many people mistake the symptoms of PAD for something else.
• PAD often goes undiagnosed by healthcare professionals.
• People with peripheral arterial disease have a higher risk of coronary artery disease, heart attack or stroke.
• Left untreated, PAD can lead to gangrene and amputation.

View our interactive PAD library

Added risks for PAD

Other factors can increase your chances for peripheral artery disease, including:

• Your risk for peripheral artery disease increases with age.
• High blood pressure or high cholesterol puts you at risk for PAD.
• If you smoke, you have an especially high risk for PAD.
• If you have diabetes, you have an especially high risk for PAD.

The good news

If you’re at risk for peripheral artery disease or have been diagnosed with PAD, it’s worth knowing that:

• PAD is easily diagnosed in a simple, painless way.
• You can take control: Follow your doctor’s recommendations and strive to lead a heart-healthy lifestyle.
• Some cases of PAD can be managed with lifestyle changes and medication.

ATHEROSCLEROSIS AND PAD

If you have atherosclerosis, that means that plaque has built up inside your artery walls. Plaque is made up of deposits of fats, cholesterol, and other substances. Atherosclerosis in the peripheral arteries is the most common cause of PAD.

To see how plaque limits blood flow, view our interactive PAD library.

What happens is this: First, plaque builds up enough to narrow an artery, which chokes off blood flow. Next, if that plaque becomes brittle or inflamed, it may rupture, triggering a blood clot to form. A clot can further narrow the artery or completely block it.

If that blockage remains in the peripheral arteries of the legs, it can cause pain, changes in skin color, difficulty walking and sores or ulcers. Total loss of circulation to the legs and feet can cause gangrene and the loss of a limb.

If the blockage occurs in a carotid artery, it can cause a stroke.

Watch an atherosclerosis and PAD animation

It’s important to learn the facts about PAD. As with any disease, the more you understand, the more you’ll be able to help your doctor make an early diagnosis. PAD has common symptoms, but many people with PAD never have any symptoms at all.

Learn the facts, talk to your doctor and take control of your cardiovascular health.

VENOUS DISEASE

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute - https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/varicose-veins

Varicose veins are a common condition caused by weak or damaged vein walls and valves. Varicose veins may form whenever blood pressure increases inside your veins. This can happen because of pregnancy, constipation, a tumor, or overweight and obesity.

This health topic focuses primarily on varicose veins in the legs, but sometimes varicose veins form in other parts of the body. Hemorrhoids are a type of varicose vein that develops in the rectum. Varicoceles occur in the testicles and may be linked to infertility in men. Varicose veins can also develop in the esophagus, stomach, or liver. Other vein problems that affect smaller blood vessels are telangiectasia and spider veins.

Veins have one-way valves inside them that open and close to keep blood flowing toward the heart. However, weakened or damaged valves or walls in the veins can cause blood to pool and even flow backward. This is called reflux. The veins may grow larger and become distorted, resulting in varicose veins. Visit How the Heart Works to learn more about blood flow to and from the heart.

You may be at increased risk for varicose veins if you are older, sit or stand for long periods, have an inactive lifestyle, have overweight or obesity, or have a family history of varicose veins or deep vein thrombosis, a type of venous thromboembolism. Pregnancy and childbirth, especially multiple births, also increase a woman’s risk.

Signs and symptoms of varicose veins include bulging, bluish veins; swelling; aching pain; a feeling of heaviness in the legs and feet; itching; changes in skin color; and nighttime leg cramps. Sometimes varicose veins can limit your activities. Your symptoms may get worse when you sit or are on your feet for long periods, and they may get better when you lie down or put your feet up.

To diagnose varicose veins, your doctor will do a physical exam and ask about your symptoms, family history, activity levels, and lifestyle. Your doctor may assess the health of your leg veins using an ultrasound or other imaging tests, such as an X-ray or computed tomography (CT) scan.

Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes, a procedure to remove or close varicose veins, compression therapy, or medicines. The goals of treatment are to relieve symptoms, improve appearance, and prevent complications such as serious skin ulcers or sores, deep vein thrombosis, skin color changes, and bleeding. Bleeding from varicose veins is a medical emergency. Seek immediate help if this happens.