All articles tagged with #peripheral artery disease
Toe hair is usually normal and largely driven by genetics and hormones; while hair loss or changes can signal circulation problems or peripheral artery disease, most toe hair variations are harmless, and removal is safe using tweezers, shaving, or hair-removal products with patch testing—seek medical advice if you notice sudden or unusual changes.
A JACC study shows progress against U.S. heart disease has stalled as obesity and diabetes rise; the five deadliest conditions—coronary heart disease, heart attack, heart failure, peripheral artery disease, and stroke—continue to cause the most deaths and disability, driven by preventable risk factors such as hypertension, obesity, diabetes, high LDL cholesterol, and smoking.
Persistent leg cramps at night may indicate serious vascular problems like venous insufficiency or peripheral artery disease, especially after age 40, and should not be dismissed as mere dehydration or electrolyte imbalance.
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) can be identified early through signs like leg pain while walking, numbness, temperature differences, slow-healing foot wounds, hair loss on legs, and weak or absent foot pulses. Recognizing these symptoms promptly is crucial to prevent severe complications such as infections or amputations, and early treatment can improve outcomes.
Shiny, hairless skin on the legs could indicate poor blood circulation, potentially signaling an impending heart attack or stroke, warns Dr. Babak Ashrafi. This condition, often linked to peripheral artery disease (PAD), results from fatty deposits in the arteries that restrict blood flow. While not immediately life-threatening, PAD can lead to serious cardiovascular events if untreated. Other conditions like fluid retention or deep vein thrombosis may also cause shiny skin. Dr. Ashrafi advises consulting a GP if you notice persistent changes in your leg skin.
Doctors recommend back sleeping as the best position for those with peripheral artery disease, as it evenly distributes weight and increases blood flow to the limbs. Sleeping on the left side is also beneficial, while stomach sleeping should be avoided. Other tips to ease leg pain include wearing compression socks, walking regularly, staying hydrated, and stretching the calves.
Home-based walking exercise regimens have been found to be more effective than supervised treadmill physical therapy in patients with lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD). A meta-analysis of five randomized clinical trials showed that home-based walking exercise improved the distance walked in the 6-Minute Walk test by 50.7 meters, while supervised treadmill exercise improved it by 32.9 meters compared to the non-exercise control group. The findings suggest that home-based walking exercise is a better alternative for improving walking limitations in PAD patients.
A new study presented at the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI) 2023 Scientific Sessions reveals that marijuana users are three times more likely to develop peripheral artery disease (PAD) compared to the general population. The research highlights the importance of monitoring marijuana users for PAD and promoting cessation. With the increasing use of marijuana in the US, individuals should be aware of PAD symptoms and seek timely screening and intervention to prevent complications.
High cholesterol doesn't come with a set of signs and symptoms, but changes in legs and feet can predict the onset of high cholesterol levels in the blood. High cholesterol can increase the risk of peripheral artery disease, which can cause symptoms to develop in legs and feet such as leg pain, unusual cramps, numbness, yellow deposits near buttocks, change in toenail color, cold feet, leg sores, and tissue death. Approximately 40% of the total population in India is suffering from underlying cholesterol conditions, and most of them are unaware of it.
A new minimally invasive procedure called LimFlow has been developed to help people with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), a severe form of peripheral artery disease that can lead to amputation. The procedure involves connecting an artery ahead of the blockage to an unblocked vein in the lower leg using a stent graft, reversing the flow in that vein to send blood to the foot. In a clinical trial, 76% of participants were able to keep their leg six months after the procedure, and 76% had completely healed or their wounds were healing. The procedure is awaiting approval from the US Food and Drug Administration.
Insufficient sleep, particularly less than 5 hours per night, is strongly linked to an increased risk of developing peripheral artery disease (PAD), a condition that causes blocked arteries in the legs and increases the risk of stroke and heart attack, according to a new study published in the European Heart Journal. The study involved over 650,000 participants and used Mendelian randomization analysis to identify a causal relationship between sleep habits and PAD. The findings emphasize the importance of proper sleep in maintaining vascular health and preventing the onset of PAD. The American Heart Association recommends 7-9 hours of sleep per night for optimal cardiovascular health.