Do you know some of your foot issues might be early signs of cardiovascular problems? Your heart health goes hand in hand with your foot health. Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is the condition that occurs when your arteries are clogged by plaque preventing typical blood flow to your limbs. This condition can cause blood clot formation, heart attack, and stroke risks. PAD is a severe condition that can result in a life-threatening issue if ignored. Although little is known about PAD, Dr. Vinod Kumar, highlights five crucial facts about PAD that you should know.
1. Many people living with PAD don’t know they have it
PAD is primarily asymptomatic, and it becomes challenging to identify its symptoms, especially in its early stages. This becomes a significant risk since you can develop a situation that can affect your entire life when the symptoms worsen. Mainly, discomfort caused by PAD is atypical, making it difficult to detect it early. However, if you experience symptoms like aching, burning, numbness, cramping, and shooting pain in your limbs, you are more likely to suffer from PAD.
2. You’re more susceptible to getting PAD if you smoke
In the same way, smoking incites cancer, lung, and cardiovascular diseases, so the case is no different regarding PAD. Being a smoking addict triggers the functionality of your arteries, thus making you susceptible to this condition. Surprisingly, even smoking half a packet of a cigarette can impact PAD formation.
3. People aged 50 and above are at risk of getting PAD
Although PAD can affect people of different ages, older people who surpass 50 years are more at risk of contracting PAD. Many people mistake its symptoms for the effects of aging, but it is more than that. The truth is that experiencing pain in your limbs is not a natural aging factor, and you should see a specialist in such a case.
4. Excess weight is a significant contributor to PAD
Carrying excess weight puts more pressure on your feet which affects blood circulation. Additionally, being overweight is a risk factor for diabetes, weakening your arteries. When the veins in your limbs are compressed or weakened, their specific functionality is negatively impacted. Cutting the extra pounds is a significant way to safeguard you from PAD.
5. PAD is manageable and treatable
While PAD is a high-risk medical condition, there are effective ways to control it. The good thing is that PAD is not an “entire life” disease, and you can recover stronger with the proper techniques from a qualified cardiologist. In addition, there are ways to manage its symptoms from worsening, and with a disciplined lifestyle and check-ups, you can overcome PAD. If you’re a victim of some of the risk factors for PAD, don’t wait for the symptoms to erupt; by then, the condition will have caused severe damage. Managing and treating PAD will be instrumental not only for your limbs but also for your overall health.
Like many other arterial diseases, PAD is not exceptional in managing it. Although its signs are not evident in the first stages, evading the risk factors associated with PAD can make you safer. Furthermore, a clear perception of this disease’s dos and don’ts plays a critical role in safeguarding your limbs.
