Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a condition in which blood vessels in the limbs become very narrowed due to cholesterol buildup (atherosclerosis). The Mayo Clinic says specific symptoms of PAD include leg weakness or numbness, hair loss in the legs or feet, changes in the toenails and sores on the legs, toes or feet. Left untreated, PAD can lead to certain complications.
Critical Limb Ischemia
According to the UC Davis Vascular Center, critical limb ischemia is actually a severe form of PAD in which the blood vessels in the lower extremities no longer receive adequate amounts of blood flow.
Specific symptoms of critical limb ischemia include non-healing sores in the legs or feet, numbness or pain in the feet, thickening of the toenails, smooth or dry skin of the legs or feet and shiny skin (on the legs or feet). Other symptoms of critical limb ischemia include gangrene (dead skin and tissue) and an absent pulse in the legs or feet.
Risk factors for critical limb ischemia include being diabetic, smoking, having high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Other risk factors include being overweight and having a family history of clogged arteries (atherosclerosis).
Treatment for critical limb ischemia involves angioplasty, a procedure in which a tiny balloon is inflated into the blocked vessel to open up the vessel. Typically, a metal stent is then placed into the blood vessel to keep it open. Lasers and a special rotating surgical device can also help remove plaque from the arteries. Surgery is another treatment option for critical limb ischemia.
Heart Attack
The Mayo Clinic says a heart attack is one of the most common complications of PAD. A heart attack, medically known as a myocardial infarction, is a condition in which blood flow to the heart becomes severely compromised.
Specific signs of a heart attack include radiating chest pain to the arm, pain in the neck jaw or stomach and shortness of breath, says the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. A heart attack can also lead to vomiting, nausea, lightheadedness, fainting and a cold sweat.
A heart attack is due to plaque (cholesterol) formation in the heart's blood vessels. Management for a heart attack involves taking aspirin to prevent blood clotting, taking nitroglycerin to dilate the arteries and getting oxygen therapy to help with breathing. Clot-busting medications, beta blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and antiplatelet medications can be used to manage a heart attack.
Sometimes, an angioplasty or surgery (coronary artery bypass) may be necessary to reroute the blood flow around the heart's blocked blood vessel.
Stroke
The Mayo Clinic says a stroke is another common complication of PAD. MedlinePlus says a stroke is also known as a brain attack. It occurs when blood vessels in the brain become blocked.
MedlinePlus says specific symptoms of a stroke include a severe headache, numbness or tingling on one side of the body, trouble swallowing, a loss of balance and trouble speaking. A stroke can also lead to hearing changes, trouble reading or writing, trouble walking and problems with urine or bladder functions.
A stroke may be due to cholesterol buildup in the brain's blood vessels or bleeding in the brain.
Treatment for a stroke involves taking clot-busting medications, blood thinners and painkillers. Sometimes, surgery may be necessary to manage a stroke.
