Peripheral artery disease (PAD), a peripheral vascular condition, is a health concern that disrupts blood flow to your limbs, particularly the legs. This condition affects millions of Americans, especially aged persons, and often results from plaque accumulation in the arteries. If left untreated, the illness leads to poor circulation, a heightened risk of gangrene, stroke, the risk of amputation, and sometimes even death. Identifying the risk factors for peripheral arterial disease Coconut Creek is the initial step in avoiding the condition. Understanding these risk factors allows for a quicker diagnosis and care before more serious symptoms develop. Read on to learn more.
- Aging
Being above 50 years is a significant risk factor for PAD. As with numerous health concerns, aging renders one susceptible to this illness. Remember, on many occasions, patients do not experience symptoms at all, or they presume the symptoms they have are simply because of normal aging.
Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do about aging. It is a natural part of life. Therefore, you should consider PAD screening if you are above 50 years, even if you have no obvious symptoms.
- African Ethnicity
Another uncontrollable risk factor for PAD is your ethnic background. Individuals of African descent are more susceptible to PAD than persons from other races. If you are an African-American over 50 years old, you should consider PAD screening.
- Hypertension
High blood pressure or hypertension is a common risk factor for numerous cardiovascular system illnesses, including PAD. Although everybody experiences spikes in their blood pressure during exercise or when stressed, for instance, prolonged blood pressure issues could lead to PAD. If you suffer from hypertension, talk to your specialist about the measures you can adopt to manage it.
- Smoking
Unsurprisingly, smoking is an enemy to your general health and well-being. Chronic smoking significantly raises your risk of PAD. The sooner you cease smoking, the better your chances are at reducing your risk of suffering from PAD, as well as other cardiovascular conditions.
- Poor Cholesterol Levels
Increased levels of “bad cholesterol” LDL, can result in blocked arteries, which is the root cause of PAD. Besides, inadequate “good cholesterol” HDL levels, could as well damage the arteries and raise your risk of PAD. Moreover, you should monitor the fat levels within your blood, triglycerides, as increased triglycerides could make you vulnerable to PAD.
- Type II Diabetes
Type II diabetes is a condition that could harm your circulatory system with time, making it another common PAD risk factor. If you have diabetes, maintaining your blood sugar levels in check and following your doctor’s advice can help keep PAD from developing or worsening later.
- Family History
If your parent, sibling, or another close family member has suffered from a vascular condition, your risk of developing PAD is greater. Understanding your family history could be beneficial as it allows you to undergo the necessary genetic testing and screenings to look out for early signs of this condition.
There are numerous risk factors for PAD, ranging from being diabetic and elderly to smoking, hypertension, and more. Understanding the different risk factors and being mindful of how they apply to you is highly crucial. Nonetheless, this condition can sometimes develop without any noticeable signs. Thus, if you suspect you might have PAD, consult your specialist. Early diagnosis is key to effective treatment and management of this condition. Moreover, you should note that, though the diagnosis could be shocking at first, numerous minimally intrusive PAD care options exist.
