Peripheral artery disease develops due to impaired blood circulation in the arteries of the lower extremities, as a rule, this happens due to atherosclerosis. This is explained by the fact that an insufficient amount of oxygen penetrates the tissues.
The likelihood of vascular disease increases with age. About 30% of older people over the age of 70 suffer from it. The risk of pathology increases in people with diabetes and smokers.
So, what is this disease, what are the reasons for its development, what symptoms are observed in this case? How do doctors diagnose peripheral arterial disease and is it treatable? What preventive measures are in place today?
Features of leg artery disease
Blood, saturated with oxygen and nutrients, moves througharteries from the heart to the organs and tissues of the body. If the blood flow in the arteries of the legs is disturbed, then their tissues receive insufficient amounts of nutrients and oxygen, as a result of which peripheral arterial disease develops.
Blood flow in the aorta is disturbed as a result of the development of atherosclerosis. The aorta itself is a large vessel from which branches supply blood to the head, upper limbs, neck, abdominal organs, chest organs, pelvic cavity, after which the artery divides into two branches, through which blood flows to the legs.
In the normal state, the surface of the inner side of the vessel is smooth, but in old age atherosclerosis of peripheral arteries develops, in which lipid plaques are deposited in the vessel wall. This leads to a violation of the structure of the walls of the arteries, narrowing, their compaction and, as a result, a violation of the blood flow in it. Lipid plaques are composed of calcium and cholesterol. As atherosclerosis progresses, the lumen in the aorta becomes narrower and leads to the appearance of the first signs of arterial disease. This disease may not manifest itself at all for a long time, while atherosclerosis of peripheral arteries will continue to progress and, in the absence of timely diagnosis and proper treatment, can lead to limb amputation. In addition, the risk of developing circulatory disorders in other organs increases, which can provoke a myocardial infarction or stroke.
The main manifestation of peripheral arterial disease isa feeling of severe discomfort or pain in the legs when walking. Localization of pain is different, the place of its occurrence depends on which parts of the arteries were damaged. Pain may occur in the foot, knees, lower back, thigh, lower legs.
Causes of arterial disease of the lower extremities
So, the main reason for the development of pathology of peripheral arteries is atherosclerosis. Moreover, men are more susceptible to the disease than women. There are many factors that increase the risk of developing this disease, the main ones are:
- Diabetes mellitus.
- Smoking for many years.
- Persistent high blood pressure.
- Increased amount of cholesterol in the blood.
- Obesity.
High risk of this disease occurs in people who have previously encountered problems with the cardiovascular system.
Symptoms and treatment
Atherosclerosis of the vessels of the lower extremities is the main cause of the development of disease of the arteries of the legs, the most common symptom of which is pain while walking. Pain can occur in any part of the legs, the localization of pain depends on where the affected vessels are located.
Pain occurs due to insufficient blood supply to tissues, that is, due to such an ailment as atherosclerosis of the vessels of the lower extremities, the symptoms and treatment of which are interconnected. Therapy must be started as early as possible, otherwise its progression can lead to complete blockage of the artery and, as a result, amputation of the limb.
But the symptoms of the disease do not always appear brightly, often the doctor does not even suggest that the patient is developing a pathology. Often, treatment begins only after the symptoms become pronounced. If the disease is not treated in time, it can cause a heart attack or stroke.
Another striking symptom of leg vascular disease is lameness. At rest, pain is absent and occurs only while walking. It should be borne in mind that lameness and pain are not mandatory symptoms, they can occur in rare and exceptional cases, for example, during long walks or while climbing a mountain. But over time, the clinical manifestations of the disease do not disappear, but, on the contrary, intensify, convulsions occur, a feeling of heaviness that does not go away even after rest, a feeling of squeezing. If all of these symptoms occur, seek medical attention.
There are a number of indirect signs that indicate the development of peripheral arterial disease:
- Hair loss.
- Paleness and dry skin of the legs.
- Decreased sensation in the lower extremities.
The degree of development of the disease is determined by the intensity of symptoms, the more pain and discomfort while walking, the more serious the disease. If the disease is advanced, the pain disturbs the person even at rest.
Severe narrowing of the arteries of the lower extremities
When the arteries are severely narrowed due to lipid plaques or in generalblocked (thrombosis of peripheral arteries), pain in the legs appear even during rest. The legs may look completely normal, but the toes are pale in color, sometimes with a bluish tinge. They tend to be cold to the touch and have little or no impulses.
In the most severe cases of oxygen deficiency, tissue necrosis (death) begins. The lower part of the leg (ankle) is covered with trophic ulcers, in the most advanced cases gangrene develops, but this complication is rare.
Occlusive arterial disease of the lower limbs
Peripheral arterial occlusive disease is a common manifestation of atherosclerosis. This disease leads to limited mobility, often leading to death.
The term "arterial occlusive disease" means damage not only to the arteries of the legs, but also to other vessels that pass through the brain and internal organs, that is, this is a disease of peripheral arteries and veins.
With age, the risk of developing the disease increases.
People at risk:
- under 50 who have an increased risk of atherosclerosis;
- 50 to 70 years of age who smoke or have diabetes;
- over 70;
- with characteristic atherosclerotic symptoms in the lower extremities.
Impaired blood circulation in the vessels may occur due to damage to them or thrombosis.
First aid for the development of blockage of the vesselis to give the person painkillers and cardiovascular medications, put ice on the limbs, bandage them if necessary, and send the person to the hospital.
Treatment of thrombosis is usually conservative. But such measures are used if no more than 6 hours have passed since the attack.
Surgical treatment - arterial plasty, bypass or vascular prosthesis.
Obliterans disease of the arteries
Peripheral artery disease is a dangerous and severe chronic pathology with a progressive course. It manifests itself in the form of chronic ischemia of internal organs and limbs. With this disease, there is a violation of the flow of arterial blood to the lower extremities, this is due to a violation of the elasticity of blood vessels. Blood circulation is not carried out in the right volume, there is a narrowing of the arteries, and sometimes their complete closure.
Risk factors for this disease include: high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, high blood fat, inactive lifestyle.
The first sign of the development of pathology is pain in the lower leg, calf muscle, in the buttock. Gradually, the pain begins to increase, it becomes difficult for a person to move long distances, and eventually he stops walking altogether.
Treatment of pathology is aimed at restoring natural circulation in the affected area. As a rule, anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed, in the latestages, an operation is prescribed, the purpose of which is to restore the disturbed blood flow.
If gangrene develops, limb amputation will be required.
Diagnosis of disease
The doctor interviews the patient, measures blood pressure, asks about bad habits, lifestyle. Then he feels the pulse on the artery, in the damaged area.
For an accurate diagnosis, the doctor prescribes special tests to determine whether the arteries of the extremities are affected or not. One way to study peripheral arteries is to measure blood pressure in the leg and arm and compare the results. This will allow us to make an assumption about the development or absence of vascular pathology. In some cases, the doctor prescribes ultrasound of the lower extremities for the study of peripheral arteries, this will provide complete information about the blood circulation in the affected area.
If the doctor has doubts after the procedures, he prescribes angiography (X-ray examination of blood vessels) and tomography (examination of the condition and structure). If there is a suspicion that the patient has an advanced stage of the development of the disease, he is assigned an x-ray.
Peripheral Arterial Treatment Methods
The method of treatment depends on the degree of development of the disease, as well as on the site of the lesion. The main task of treatment is to stop the progression of the disease, to minimize the risk of complications.
The patient is prescribed a course of treatment, in addition, he is advised to eat right, change his lifestyle,give up alcohol and smoking. All bad habits have a negative impact on human blood vessels.
If treatment for peripheral arterial disease is started early, the course of treatment will be to adhere to preventive measures.
Of the medicines prescribed are those that are aimed at regulating cholesterol levels. Sometimes the course of treatment includes drugs that reduce the effect of platelets. These drugs are designed to thin the blood, which is a good prevention of blood clots.
Conservative treatment is used if the disease is mild. In case of severe damage to the peripheral arteries, surgical treatment is necessary.
If large arteries are damaged, the technique of surgical intervention is applied - angioplasty. A flexible catheter is inserted into the arterial lumen through the femoral vein, then a conductor, which delivers a special balloon to the place where the vessel is narrowed. By inflating this balloon, the normal lumen of the vessel is mechanically restored.
In more advanced cases, bypass arteries are performed. An additional vessel is created through which blood flow is allowed, bypassing the affected area. For this, both artificial prostheses-vessels and the patient's own veins are used.
Sometimes surgical removal of atherosclerotic plaque is used. To do this, an artery is opened, but this procedure can disrupt blood flow through the vessel.
The most radical surgical treatment is amputationlimbs, this method is used only in case of gangrene development.
Disease prevention
There are a number of preventive measures that will reduce the risk of progression of arterial disease:
- The best prevention for the development of arterial pathology is an active lifestyle.
- Proper and balanced nutrition will provide the human body with minerals and trace elements, the lack of which can provoke the development of vascular disease.
- Constant monitoring of blood cholesterol.
- Medication for high blood pressure
- Exclusion from the menu of spicy and fatty foods.
- Animal fat should be completely replaced with vegetable fat.
- Monitor your blood sugar.
- Quit smoking, alcohol.
- Watch your weight.
- Taking aspirin to prevent blood clots.
- Hiking in comfortable shoes.
Lifestyle
To ensure the prevention of the disease and prevent relapse, it is important to responsibly address the issue of lifestyle changes. Be sure to pay attention to the presence of risk factors for the manifestation of this disease. In order to prevent their occurrence, you need to regularly monitor the level of glucose in the blood.
It is important to constantly check your cholesterol and blood pressure levels. With an increased rate, you should both use medications and change your diet. The diet should completely exclude productsfoods with high cholesterol, as well as smoked, spicy, s alty foods, fatty and high-calorie foods. Gradually, all animal fats should be replaced with vegetable ones.
It is important to quit smoking and alcohol completely.
People who are prone to overweight, it is important to prevent the development of obesity.
It is important not only to have a balanced diet, but also to exercise regularly, this will help maintain physical fitness in a normal state and prevent the progression of vascular disease.
You need to take care of your he alth and follow all the doctor's recommendations, because the disease goes away when it has no chance.
