If you were recently diagnosed with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), you are probably wondering about your treatment options. There are a few options available. Here are the most common ways to treat peripheral arterial disease.
Peripheral arterial disease is a circulatory problem that affects your limbs. Your arteries narrow and reduce blood flow to your extremities. It usually affects your legs, and is fairly common.
PAD can also be a sign of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a buildup of fatty deposits that can obstruct your arteries. It can affect blood flow to other parts of your body such as your heart and brain, not just your legs.
The goals of treatment for PAD are to stop the progression of atherosclerosis and to manage symptoms.
Medications
Symptom-relieving medication such as cilostazol widens the blood vessels and thins the blood. Cilostazol also helps with symptoms like leg pain associated with PAD.
Otherwise, medication is mainly preventative such as blood clot medication. Prescriptions may also include medications to control blood sugar, high-blood pressure, and cholesterol.
Surgery
You may also have surgery, depending on how severe your condition is. Bypass surgery and angioplasty are two surgeries your doctor may perform. Both are designed to help blood flow around blocked or narrowed blood vessels.
Another option is thrombolytic therapy. This therapy involves an injection of a clot-dissolving drug.
Supervised Exercise
Additionally, your doctor may prescribe physical therapy to increase the distance you can walk without pain.
Lifestyle Changes
If you have peripheral arterial disease, you will need to make some lifestyle changes. If you are a smoker, you need to quit. Smoking damages and constricts your arteries. According to the Mayo Clinic, it may be a factor of developing PAD and of worsening it.
Exercise and eating healthy also help to control symptom pain, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure.
Lastly, some over-the-counter medications restrict your blood vessels. Consequently, over-the-counter cold remedies should be avoided.
Final Thoughts
There are many ways to treat peripheral arterial disease. Your doctor may prescribe one or a combination of the ones mentioned.
