Around 12-15 million women and men in the United States have a condition called peripheral arterial disease (PAD). In its earliest stages, PAD is asymptomatic. You may not have any idea that your arteries have started to narrow until you undergo an ankle-brachial index test because you have risk factors for PAD.
You develop PAD (i.e., slowed circulation in your extremities — particularly your legs and feet) when your arteries become narrowed due to the accumulation of plaque in the vessel walls. In some cases, PAD may be a complication of diabetes. Diabetes and PAD are a serious combination that can lead to limb amputation if not addressed early.
The most common, early symptom of PAD is leg claudication, which is pain while walking or moving. If you notice leg pain, be sure to see a cardiologist for an evaluation; the sooner you catch PAD, the easier it is to manage and even, to some extent, reverse.
Jon-Cecil Walkes, MD — a vein expert and surgeon at Texas Heart and Vein Multispecialty Group — advises you to undergo screening for PAD if you have risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, or high blood pressure. He diagnoses and treats PAD at our offices in Houston, Texas.
If you have PAD, what steps can you take to manage or reverse it? Follow these lifestyle tips.
If you already experience claudication, you may need to work with a physical therapist so that you gradually increase your activity without causing PAD-related pain. However, if you’re in early-stage, asymptomatic PAD, you need to get moving.
Increase your physical activity in any way that you can: Do more housework, more walking, more yard work. Go on long walks. Do squats. Start weight training.
All movement helps. However, most beneficial is any type of exercise that you do to the point where you break a sweat and feel the “burn” in your muscles. That type of exercise helps reroute blood to healthier vessels and also improves blood flow overall.
Not really. But do expand your menus and your meals far beyond the Standard American Diet (SAD). In fact, ditch that SAD diet altogether by cutting out:
Instead, retrain your palate to delight in the foods that nourished our ancestors and that are still enjoyed by long-lived cultures throughout the globe. The Mediterranean diet is a good start, because it emphasizes plenty of fresh and vibrant vegetables, high-quality fats, and good sources of protein.
However, you can explore Asian cuisine, African cuisine, and Scandinavian, too. Trot the globe in your kitchen. Just be sure to avoid recipes or restaurants that use sugar, corn syrup, or poor quality seed oils.
If you have PAD — particularly if you have diabetes — you’re at risk for peripheral neuropathy, which can cause you to lose sensation in your feet. You might step on a nail or glass and never notice. Your wound could become infected and even progress to gangrene. At that point, the only way to save your life would be amputation.
Instead, wash, inspect, and massage your feet daily. Contact your podiatrist if you notice any non-healing wounds, ulcers, or cracks. Also be sure to wear shoes that fit well and support your feet.
When you have PAD — even if it’s in early stages — it’s essential to see your cardiologist regularly for screenings, evaluations, and medication adjustments, if appropriate. You may need to take:
If you’re a smoker, you must stop. We can refer you to a smoking cessation program or recommend medications to help you gradually break a habit that could end your life.
Do you have discomfort in your legs, or a personal history that puts you at risk for PAD? Call our nearest office or book an appointment online for an evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment today. We service Greater Heights, Pearland Market, League City, Lake Jackson, Manvel, Rosharen, Alvin, Fresno, Missouri City, Arcola, Friendswood, South Houston, Kingwood Market, Humble, New Chaney, Atascocita, and Northeast Houston, Texas.
