Arterial Disease What it is
Symptoms
When blood flow to the arteries in your legs and feet is blocked by plaque (fatty buildup), your legs and feet have trouble getting the oxygen and nutrients they need. This is called arterial disease.
“Intermittent claudication” is the most common symptom. This is when you feel a pain, ache, cramp or tired feeling in your calf, foot, thigh, hip or buttocks while walking or doing exercise. These feelings usually go away quickly when you stop your activity, but come back if you start again.
artery too narrow fatty buildup blood flow
As the disease gets worse, you will feel the same pain with shorter periods of activity. Over time, these feelings may occur when you’re resting as well. Your legs and feet may also:
Risk factors These things increase your chance of having arterial disease.
• feel numb • have no pulse at all or only a faint pulse • have dry scaly skin and poor hair and nail growth
if you have:
• feel cool to the touch
q diabetes q high blood pressure
• develop ulcers (wounds) that heal slowly
q high cholesterol
• get smaller due to your muscles shrinking from lack of use
• hurt if you sit with them propped up
if you are: q an older adult q overweight q a smoker or use other tobacco products q eating or drinking caffeine products (like coffee, soft drinks, tea and chocolate)
• have a reddish-blue color when your feet hang down or a pale color when you sit with them raised
• have shiny, tight-feeling skin
q not getting enough exercise Copyright © 2000-2015 Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc. DO NOT DUPLICATE.
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Arterial Disease Treatment
If you are a diabetic, keep your blood glucose under control!
The aim of this treatment is to:
find ways to improve your blood flow
take good care of your skin and feet
protect your legs and feet from bumps and bruises
t t t
Treatment includes managing and controlling the risk factors you can and following a plan of treatment. In some cases surgery may be needed to open or replace a clogged artery.
Management Although arterial disease can’t be • Avoid hitting or bumping your legs or cured, it can be managed. Here’s how: feet—this can cause bruises or sores that may be hard to heal. • Stop smoking— using tobacco reduces blood flow to all parts of your body.
• Keep pets away from your legs and feet so they don’t scratch you and cause sores that can get infected. • Keep your legs and feet warm. • Use good hygiene—keep your skin clean and dry (use a fragrance-free, dye-free lotion to keep your skin moist).
• Take your medicine as ordered by your healthcare provider.
• Have regular checkups that include a “socks off” check of your feet.
• If you have another disease, like diabetes, high blood pressure or heart failure, keep it under control. • Exercise often. Try to walk at least 150 minutes per week. (Walking may cause pain, but it can also improve your blood flow and reduce your pain if done right.) Check with your doctor first. • Avoid wearing tight clothing— this can cut off circulation. Copyright © 2000-2015 Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc. DO NOT DUPLICATE.
• Lose weight if you are overweight. • Eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet to help keep you healthy.
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