Basic Facts
about Peripheral Arterial Disease
 According
to
NHLBI
- one in every 20 Americans over the age of 50
has Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD).
PAD affects 8 to 12 million people in the United States, especially
individuals over the age of 50.
It is more common in African Americans than any other racial or ethnic
groups.
PAD does not always causes symptoms, so many individuals can have
PAD and not know it.
What is PAD?
Peripheral Arterial Disease is a
common serious disease. It occurs
when arteries become clogged with plaque (fatty deposits that limit
blood flow to your limbs; specifically your legs. PAD can also be
seen in the arteries that carry blood flow from your heart to your head,,
arms, kidneys, and stomach.
Who Is At Risk For Pad?
-
 Being
African American
- Individual over the age of 50
- Have diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol
- Individual who have history of vascular disease, stroke or
heart attack
- Smoking
Some Common Symptoms of PAD
- Sore or wounds on feet, toes and legs that heals slowly
or do not heal.
- Color changes in the skin of feet including paleness.
- A lower temperature occurs in one leg. Pain in
the legs and /or feet that disturbs sleep.
- Heaviness, fatigue, tiredness, cramping in the leg
muscles that occurs during activity such as walking or climbing.
- Many individuals with Pad have no signs or symptoms.
How Is PAD Diagnosed?
- Medical and family history
- Physical exam
- Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) – this is a painless noninvasive test that
compares the blood pressure readings in your ankle with the blood pressure
readings in your arm.
- Doppler- This is test uses sound waves to measures the blood flow
in veins and arteries in you arms and legs.
- Other tests as per MD discretions are used to help diagnose PAD.
Treatment Options for PAD
Life Style Changes:
- Quit Smoking
- Lower high blood pressure, cholesterol and blood
sugar.
- Follow a healthy Eating Plan- This involve choosing
foods
That are low in saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol; including
whole grain, vegetables and fruits.
- Aim for a healthy weight.
- Being physically active Aim for 30 minutes of
moderate intensity
activity on most days of the week.
- Beware that your Health care provider may recommend a
special
procedures and surgeries if the blood flow in one of your limbs
is completely blocked.
To learn more visit these sites
 print
this page
www.doh.state.fl.us
www.floridaonthemove.org
Palm Beach County:
Florenzia Davis, PhD,MS,RD,LD/N
Senior Public Health Nutritionist
(561) 681-2524 x106 |
