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Peripheral artery disease

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD), also known as peripheral vascular disease, affects blood vessels carrying blood away from the heartto the extremities or the lower limbs. It’s mostly caused by the build-up of plaque within the artery and is characterised by the narrowing of the vessels that carry blood to the leg and muscles.

You are more likely to suffer from peripheral vascular disease, if you have

The most common symptom is leg discomfort after exercise (claudication) which goes away upon resting. Other symptoms include changes in skin colour, decrease in skin temperature and thick, brittle, skin on the leg. Lack of blood flow to the leg leads to open sores that don’t heal. As the situation worsens, it can lead to tissue death (gangrene) which can require amputation of the leg.

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Apart from medicines and lifestyle changes, one of the latest treatment options used to treat this condition is peripheral laser atherectomy. It involves using a catheter that emits a laser to unblock the artery. This catheter is manoeuvred through the vessel until it reaches the blockage.

Here’s detailed information about eripheral vascular disease – causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

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