Peripheral arterial disease is a blood circulation disorder characterized by reduced blood flow to the limbs due to narrowed arteries. The narrowing of the arteries is caused by a build-up of plaque on the arterial walls, a condition called atherosclerosis. Peripheral arterial disease most often affects the legs, but can also affect the head, arms, kidneys and stomach, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
Causes
Peripheral arterial disease is most commonly caused by atherosclerosis. The exact cause of atherosclerosis is unknown, but is believed to occur to due to a combination of factors such as smoking, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, high blood pressure and high blood glucose. Although less common, peripheral arterial disease can also develop as a result of chronic blood vessel inflammation, injury to the limbs, abnormal anatomy or exposure to radiation, according to MayoClinic.com.
Risk Factors
The risk of developing peripheral arterial disease increases four times in those who smoke, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Those with diabetes also have an increased risk of developing the disease due to constant high blood sugar levels. Increasing age also increases the risk of developing peripheral arterial disease. Other risk factors include obesity, family history of heart disease, high blood pressure and family history of stroke.
Symptoms
In many cases, those with peripheral arterial disease experience no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, the most common symptom is leg pain when walking, which is called intermittent claudication. Other symptoms of peripheral arterial disease include cramping in the hip, thigh or calf muscles, leg numbness or weakness, cold temperatures in the leg or foot, change in skin color, hair loss, slow nail growth and weak pulse, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
Treatment
The most effective treatment for peripheral arterial disease consists of a combination of lifestyle modifications and medications, according to the American Heart Association. Lifestyle modifications that should be made include the cessation of smoking, control of diabetes, increase in physical activity, control of blood pressure and a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet. Drug treatments consist of cholesterol-lowering medications, medications to lower blood pressure, medications to prevent blood clots and medications to control blood sugar, according to MayoClinic.com. In severe cases, surgery may be needed to physically open up the affected arteries.
Complications
Left untreated, peripheral arterial disease can cause serious complications. The most common complications include heart attack and stroke. These complications can occur when atherosclerosis causes fat deposits to build up in the arteries that supply build to the heart and brain. Critical limb ischemia is another complication that occurs when injuries or infections in the legs cause damage to the leg tissues, which may result in tissue death and amputation.
