heart-disease


Peripheral Vascular Disease

Peripheral Vascular Disease

What is peripheral vascular disease?

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a heart condition similar to that of coronary artery disease and carotid artery disease. In PAD, the fatty deposits build up in the inner linings of the artery walls. These blockages restrict the blood flow circulation, mainly in arteries leading to the kidneys, stomach, arms, legs and feet.

In its early stages, a common symptom is cramping, or fatigue in the legs and buttocks during activity. Such cramping subsides when the person stands still. This is called "intermittent claudication." People with PAD often have fatty buildup in the arteries of the heart and brain. Because of this association, most people with PAD have a higher risk of death from heart attack and stroke.

There are two types of these circulation disorders:

Functional peripheral vascular diseases don't have an organic cause. They don't involve defects in blood vessels' structure. They're usually short-term effects related to "spasm" that may come and go. Raynaud's disease is an example. It can be triggered by cold temperatures, emotional stress, working with vibrating machinery or smoking.

Organic peripheral vascular diseases are caused by structural changes in the blood vessels, such as inflammation and tissue damage. Peripheral artery disease is an example. It's caused by fatty buildups in arteries that block normal blood flow.

How is peripheral artery disease diagnosed and treated?

Techniques used to diagnose PAD include a medical history, physical exam, ultrasound, X-ray angiography and magnetic resonance imaging angiography (MRA).
Most people with PAD can be treated with lifestyle changes, medications or both. Lifestyle changes to lower your risk include stopping smoking, diabetes control and blood pressure. Become physically active; eat a low-saturated-fat, low-cholesterol diet.

PAD may require drug treatment, too. Drugs include medicines to help improve walking distance, antiplatelet agents and cholesterol-lowering agents (statins).

 

 

Search This Site

Heart Disease

 

 

 

Heart Disease


Heart Conditions Endocarditis

... 'bacterial endocarditis. Acute bacterial endocarditis (ABE) symptoms can occur within a few weeks of the infection setting in. Symptoms of sub acute bacterial endocarditis (SBE) can take weeks or months to develop. Some general symptoms of endocarditis can include fever, chills, lethargy, and the loss ... 

Read Full Article  


Canine Heart Disease

... are said to develop difficulty in breathing even at rest, loss of appetite, weight loss, fainting, and intolerance to exercise. Given all those types and symptoms of canine heart disease, there's really nothing best you can do but to approach a veterinarian and let your dog be checked for whatever problem ... 

Read Full Article  


Pulmonary Heart Disease

... interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary vascular disease, and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary disease. Symptoms of pulmonary heart disease includes shortness of breath, swelling of the feet or ankles, chest discomfort, exercise intolerance, and symptoms of underlying disorders ... 

Read Full Article  


Diet And Heart Disease

... one of the side effects. What If You Already Have It? If you already have heart disease, there is still hope, as long as you are patient and persistent with yourself and follow your doctor's advice. Don t self medicate with alcohol, drugs or even herbal preparations. They can deliver side effects even ... 

Read Full Article  


What Causes Angina

... blood flow to an area of the heart. This is most often due to Coronary Artery Disease. Sometimes, other types of heart disease or uncontrolled high blood pressure can cause angina. In CAD, the coronary arteries, that carry oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle, are narrowed, due to the buildup of the ... 

Read Full Article