Peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects more than 12 million people in the United States and can be especially problematic for patients with chronic wounds. People with PAD commonly suffer from chronic toe and foot sores, cramping leg muscles when walking or numbness, weakness or heaviness in the muscles. Other PAD symptoms include:
- Numbness in the extremities
- Weakness and atrophy of calf muscles
- A feeling of coldness in legs or feet
- Changes in the color of the feet: Feet will turn pale when elevated and turn dusky red when in the dependent position
- Hair loss over the dorsum of the feet, thickening toenails
- Painful ulcers and/or gangrene in tissue, typically in the toes
Common risk factors for peripheral artery disease include high blood levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, low blood levels of HDL cholesterol, tobacco use, diabetes, obesity and physical inactivity.
According to the American College of Physicians, the most important thing patients can do to prevent PAD or slow it down is to avoid tobacco products. On average, smokers are diagnoses with PAD up to 10 years earlier than non-smokers, and The Peripheral Artery Disease Coalition states that smoking half a pack of cigarettes per day may increase the risk of PAD by 30 percent.
Smoking has a number of adverse affects on the vascular system, including:
- Speeding up the buildup of plaque in artery walls
- Increasing the formation of leg artery blockages
- Constricting blood vessels and causing blood clots
- Increasing chances of claudication and rest pain, amputation, heart attack and stroke
Diabetics are 2-4 times more likely to have PAD than non-diabetics. Peripheral artery disease likelihood is increased even more for African American or Hispanic diabetics. Diabetics with PAD will find that controlling their diabetes by regulating blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels is absolutely critical. It is important that they:
- Plan meals to include healthy food choices
- Exercise daily
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Stop smoking