Peripheral Artery Disease Facts

PAD is a really serious illness, since it can cause amputation of the extremities, rupture of an aortic aneurysm, severe hypertension, kidney failure, but also heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death.Peripheral arterial disease has, as its primary lesion, the same initial plaque which is responsible for other conditions associated with atherosclerosis, e.g., coronary artery disease and cerebral vascular insufficiency. In the lower limbs, the posterior tibial artery at the ankle and the anterior tibial artery at its origin are the most commonly affected arteries with atherosclerosis.

The blockage in the arteries means that the blood flow is reduced. At rest there is enough oxygen in the blood reaching the muscles to prevent any symptoms. When walking the calf muscles need more oxygen, but because the blood flow is restricted the muscles cannot obtain enough oxygen from the blood and cramp occurs. This is made better by resting for a few minutes. If greater demands are made on the muscles, such as walking uphill, the pain comes on more quickly. Many patients also notice that if they are carrying heavy bags the pain comes on sooner because the leg muscles are having to work harder.

The most common cause of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is atherosclerosis. In atherosclerosis, fatty deposits (plaques) build up in your artery walls and reduce blood flow. PAD mimics a condition similar to coronary artery disease and carotid artery disease where fatty deposits build up in the inner linings of the artery walls. These blockages restrict blood circulation, mainly in arteries leading to the kidneys, stomach, arms, legs, and feet.

There are two main causes for Peripheral Artery Disease: One is a lack of the (right kind of exercise).

As we age, we increasingly take the path of least resistance when performing tasks in order to avoid pain or discomfort. The veins and arteries in the areas of our body where restrictions and blockages normally occur that cause PAD, no longer receive the stimulation and stretching necessary to maintain sufficient flexibility to allow blood to flow freely.

Another cause of Peripheral Artery Disease is out of balance Cholesterol levels. When veins and arteries lose their elasticity, it provides the opportunity for deposits to build up in areas where the veins and arteries haven't been exercised and dormant for an extended period of time. This is where the restrictions and blockages occur causing less blood supply to the lower extremities.

Conventional medical treatments cannot cure Peripheral Artery Disease. If you have PAD you already know that the best you can hope for when using conventional medical treatments is to slow the progression of the disease (not cure it).

Stents, Bypass Surgery, Balloon Angioplasty, Arterial Reaming, and Prescription Drugs do not address the underlying cause of the disease. At best they can only provide temporary relief. By not taking the initiative to seek out proven alternative solutions that work, and allowing the progression of Peripheral Artery Disease to continue or remain static, can lead to serious problems such as: Heart Disease, Stroke, Blood Clots, Gangrene, Amputation, and decreased blood flow to the brain.

By: altruist jone

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