The Truths About Hardening Of The Arteries In The Legs

Hardening of the arteries in the legs, medically termed as Peripheral Arterial Disease or PAD, is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. A type of atherosclerosis, PAD can lead to strokes, aneurysm of the aorta, and premature death. That is why, massive information campaigns are being done to make people aware of the consequences of untreated or mismanaged PAD. PAD commonly occurs in people between the age 65 and 74, and many of the cases go undiagnosed until the later stages because some of the signs and symptoms can easily be dismissed as only part of the ageing process.

Individuals who fondly smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, stuff themselves with unhealthy fat, and those who are obese and have high blood pressure and diabetes need to observe themselves closely for leg pain. People suspected with PAD will experience leg pain when walking or doing any activity that requires them to use their legs but the pain usually stops when the individual also stops the activity. Hardening of the arteries in the legs may also present with numbness or coldness of the lower legs and feet. Some patients report tingling sensations and leg sores that take time to heal.

Submitting to diagnostic tests is always a good idea, especially when you are at high risk for developing PAD, even though you may not necessarily be experiencing the classic signs and symptoms of PAD just yet. There is what is called the ABI test that will help to confirm if you have PAD or not. Short for Ankle Brachial Index, ABI measures the blood pressure in the legs and compares it with the blood pressure taken in the arms. Significant discrepancies may warrant additional examinations to confirm the diagnosis of PAD. It is vital that diagnosis is made as soon as possible so treatments can be started right away in order to arrest the problem and prevent any major complications.

Patients with PAD are often advised to change their lifestyle habits. It is highly recommended that they make wiser food choices that include lots of fresh greens, fruits, and fiber. Saturated fat and trans fat must be kept to a minimum or eliminated completely. It has to be emphasized that fats, cholesterol and calcium deposits are no longer able to pass through the walls of the artery because of the injury to the interior lining of the arterial walls, so eating foods that are high in cholesterol and fats will only lead to the accumulation of these substances in the arterial walls, forming plaque, and further hardening and narrowing the arterial walls. 

PAD patients must control their weight through a healthy diet and exercise. Their blood pressure and sugar levels must be monitored and regulated as well. PAD patients who happen to be cigarette smokers must kick their smoking habit out if they want to improve not just the quality but length of their life. In more serious cases, patients diagnosed with hardening of the arteries in the legs may need to undergo antiplatelet therapy or ACE inhibitor therapy.