If you’ve recently been diagnosed with Peripheral Vascular Disease, you are certainly not alone. According to the American Heart Foundation, there is are nearly 8.5 million people, most over age 60, that are affected by Peripheral Arterial Disease, most commonly referred to as PAD. This circulatory disease often occurs when your legs don’t receive enough blood flow, effecting their ability to function properly. Once you find out that you have this disease, taking the necessary steps to deal with it properly is vital to your continued health and wellness. People with PAD are more susceptible to heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular conditions. At Palm Vascular Center, we specialize in Peripheral Arterial Disease and regularly treat PAD patients. Our team of experienced physicians are experts at the top of their field. They offer the latest treatments for Peripheral Vascular Disease in Miami Beach using minimally invasive state-of-the-art techniques.
COMMON CAUSES OF PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL VASCULAR DISEASE
Luckily, there are some common causes of Peripheral Vascular Disease that can easily be handled with certain lifestyle changes. Minor adjustments like exercising and eating healthier foods can improve your health. PAD is a buildup of cholesterol or fatty deposits in the arteries. It can also be caused by blood clots in the arteries and injury to the limbs, but this is less common. The good news is that your doctor may prescribe something as simple as nutritional supplements and a more active exercise regime or other lifestyle changes that can quickly improve your condition and reduce symptoms.
Some factors which can increase your risk of developing PAD include:
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Exposure to Radiation
- Aging
- Family History
- High Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Levels
- Injury to Limbs that Damage the Arteries and more
SYMPTOMS OF PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL DISEASE
Although some people show no symptoms of PAD, there are some symptoms to look out for:
- Numbness in the legs
- Ulcers or sores on the legs that take a longer time to heal
- Weak or no pulse in the leg or foot
- Hair loss on the legs and fee
- Pain in the legs or thighs when walking up a flight of steps
The average age at which peripheral vascular disease (PAD) affects people is 70, but it may occur earlier in people with diabetes or those who smoke cigarettes. More than 80 percent of people with the condition are current or former smokers. It’s also very important to be aware of all the risk factors that contribute to PAD. They include smoking, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and a family history of heart disease. Peripheral Vascular Disease in Miami is definitely a serious condition and you should visit your doctor as soon as possible if you suspect that you have it. Early detection and treatment can save your life.
