More than 6.4 million Americans, 40 years and above, have Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). Having that disease means the vessels transporting blood from your heart to the legs experience blockage or narrowing courtesy of fatty plaque deposits. Remember that other arterial disorders and other health issues may mislead you into believing you have Peripheral Artery Disease Frisco. Moreover, you can have the condition without leg pain. Still, some leading signs and symptoms to look out for include leg numbness and painful cramping in your lower extremities, especially after performing an activity like walking or stair climbing.
Although peripheral artery disease can be severe and painful, reversing its signs and symptoms and avoiding minimally invasive treatments like balloon angioplasty is possible. Therefore, adopt the tips below to live with PAD without experiencing significant difficulty or pain.
1. Walk more and rest
You may not have to perform some activities because of the pain when you have PAD. However, you still need to find a way to exercise without causing more pain. Exercising is good for your health and general well-being.
Stretching and then walking is an exercise you can rely on to reduce peripheral artery disease symptoms and lower levels of blood pressure and bad cholesterol. Ensure you listen to your body as you walk to know when to stop and take a break. Once pain and exhaustion have subsided, you can start walking again and again. While you should not walk too much, also do not be the type to give up easily. The exercise you do a few times throughout the week should last about 25 minutes.
Apart from walking, you can swim or go cycling.
2. Care for the feet and legs
Because there is no free flow of blood, you are more likely to feel pain in your legs when performing an activity since there is more demand for blood.
Your feet and legs need to be as comfortable as possible. Therefore, wear properly fitting shoes and wash your legs daily with warm water. Do not soak your legs too long; use a body cream or lotion to moisturize.
Constantly monitor the health of your feet and legs and immediately address any issue you may notice, such as cuts or sores.
3. Avoid smoking
Smoking is one of the leading causes of danger to the health of arteries by minimizing their ability to transport blood to your feet. Smoking inflames and narrows your arteries.
You are also at high risk of blood clotting, stroke, and hypertension when you have PAD.
4. Eat healthily
Regularly eat a healthy diet consisting of fruits and vegetables, edible oil plants, and meats with a low-fat content like chicken and fish. That is one way to maintain a healthy weight.
Also, you need to avoid over-consumption of alcoholic drinks and salt.
5. Use medications prescribed
Your doctor may prescribe different medications to make your PAD not risk your health and life. For instance, some drugs can lower blood pressure levels and prevent blood from clotting.
Contact Prime Heart and Vascular if you think you may have peripheral artery disease and may require minimally invasive treatment to prevent amputation.
