Lake Regional Health System | Thrive | Summer 2019

I f walking makes your legs ache, it could be more than muscle fatigue. You could be experiencing peripheral arte- rial disease, or PAD. “Many people have peripheral artery disease and don’t know it,” says Justin Shatto, M.D., a Lake Regional general surgeon. “It’s easy to think it’s just tired muscles or a little foot swelling, espe- cially in the early stages. But PAD is serious. It can increase the risk for heart attack or stroke. And it raises the risk of amputation.” What is PAD? The peripheral arteries are outside the chest and abdomen and supply blood to the arms and legs. PAD develops when these arteries harden or become clogged with plaque, limit- ing blood flow. This restricts the delivery of oxygen and puts a strain on the entire cardiovascular system — including the heart itself. But the problem often goes undiagnosed until there’s major damage. PAD sometimes affects the arms, but it’s more likely to af- fect the legs and feet. Symptoms include cramping, fatigue, heaviness, and pain or discomfort in the legs and buttocks, especially during activity. Other symptoms include chronic toe or foot sores; numbness in the extremities; weakness in the calf muscle; cold legs and feet; or feet that turn pale when elevated. lakeregional.com 9 Take PAD to heart Am I at risk? A major risk factor for PAD is diabetes. In fact, the Ameri- can Diabetes Association reports that an estimated 1 out of 3 people older than 50 who have diabetes also have PAD. Other risk factors include smoking, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, being overweight, being physically inactive, and having a personal or family history of heart disease, heart attack or stroke. How is PAD diagnosed? Testing for PAD usually includes an ankle-brachial index. This test compares the blood pressure in the legs to the blood pressure in the arms. The American Diabetes Associa- tion recommends that people with diabetes who are older than 50 have this test. What treatments are available? Treatment options for PAD include lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise and quitting smoking. In addition, a doc- tor may prescribe medication to reduce blood pressure or to control cholesterol or diabetes. “Diagnosing and treating PAD early can save a limb or even your life,” Dr. Shatto says. WOUNDS CAN HEAL A common complication of PAD is hard-to-heal wounds. Lake Regional Wound Healing Center can help. We work with your doctor to design an aggressive treatment plan that fits your needs. Learn more at lakeregional.com/whc . Avoid the serious risks of peripheral arterial disease Justin Shatto, M.D.