Comment from: missmomof1, 25-34 Female (Patient)Published: October 07
I was recently told about having PAD. I am 33 yrs old and I have been having issues since I was 23. I've always been going to the doctors and telling them my symptoms and always get put off. It wasn't til one of my veins burst that finally something got figured out. It took 2 years after the vien burst but at least I can finally move on without much trouble. If they would of listened when I was 23, I might not be where I am now. I no longer can work and am constantly fatigued.
Comment from: ruerue05, 65-74 Female (Patient)Published: March 25
I have had peripheral vascular disease for three years. I have had my arteries in my legs cleared about six times. I have seven stents in my legs, one stent in my left kidney, and one stent in my pelvic area. I take Plavix and warfarin each day. I am researching a new drug called cilostazol that I will discuss with my doctor.
Comment from: KK, 45-54 Female (Patient)Published: December 05
I'm a 53 year old female and was diagnosed with PVD in Feb 2011. I started having extreme pain in my foot and my little toe turned purple. I had an Arteriogram and stent placed March 2011. My toe is purple again and painful, not as bad as before, I had a CTA last week and the stent is still open but the branch arteries are so narrow that the blood can't flow. I'm back on Plavix and now Pletal. I have no insurance and this has cost a fortune so far, I'm having the same symptoms in my arm and hand. To top it off they found a nodule on my left lung so this week I had a CT on my lungs and they found 4 pulmonary nodule's, they are too small to biopsy, the radiologist is concerned since they have glass features. Doc told me to walk to see if it helps to get the blood flowing but when I walk the pain is so intense and my toe turns a dark black color. I started back on the Plavix and Pletal today, ever since I took them I have had the worst head ache I have ever had. I wonder if it is the Pletal.
Comment from: Maxine, 65-74 Male (Caregiver)Published: May 17
My husband has had PVD for several years. He has had constant problems with edema in his legs causing deep ulcers. After multiple visits with our primary doctor, he was finally referred to a vascular surgeon who sent him to a wound clinic specializing in lymphedema wraps. A month later, he underwent fem-pop bypass graft of the left leg and has not had an ulcer since. He was headed for an amputation of the leg. He still has problems with edema, but we wrap the leg quickly and have been able to keep things under control for the last four years. My advice is to keep searching for the right treatment and don't take "no, there is nothing more we can do" for an answer.
Comment from: Tim, 45-54 Male (Patient)Published: February 10
I'm in the military and around the year 2001 (age 41) was having pain in my calves after walking a short distance. I thought I was just out of shape, and tried to just workout harder. The pain would happen every time I walked or ran at about the same distance. I went to the doctor and he said I needed physical therapy. After some physical therapy and not seeing any progress my wife, who is a nurse suggested I get tested for intermittent claudication. She was right and I was diagnosed with arthrosclerosis. I had a stent placed in my right iliac artery and have since had balloon angioplasty of both the left and right legs. My last procedure resulted in some complications and I bleed out internally at the entry site to the left femoral artery. It took about two months for the large hematoma in my abdomen and left testicular sack to dissolve. I think this could have been prevented by less blood thinner or longer time with a sand bag on my groin after the procedure to ensure the bleeding has stopped. Before and after surgery I was given plavix, but was taken off of it after six weeks. I'm now taking 81mg aspirin, 100 pletal, and 80mg Simvastatin. Pain discourages exercise, but I know that I must exercise three times a week if I'm going to keep this problem in check, or at least slow it down. Maintaining a low fat diet is helpful too. I look forward to the day that we can find a cure for the build up of plaque in the arteries, or a method of safely removing plaque. I don't smoke, I'm not overweight, I'm not diabetic, and my other family members don't seem to have the problem. My only thought is perhaps I could have been more active in my life. Keep moving, walking, running, biking, swimming, anything to make the vessels stay active and open. Good luck all who have this painful condition. God bless my sweet wife for helping me to deal with this disease.
Comment from: cindy, 45-54 Male (Caregiver)Published: October 26
I am not sure where to begin my husband has 3 clogged arteries in his heart. Chest pain jaw neck arm heartburn it was all on his right side. Since his tests all these symptoms are still there but worse now it is on his left side but swaps back and forth to each side he has bad chest pain his jaw and face hurts and it went numb. His hand is cold inside, but warm outside his back hurts and his stomach hurts. Now his leg hurts from the front of his knee to his foot he is a diabetic has high blood pressure and high alcohol can you please tell me what you think.
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Suggested Reading on Peripheral Vascular Disease by Our Doctors
Kidney failure can occur from an acute event or a chronic condition or disease. Prerenal kidney failure is caused by blood loss, dehydration, medication. Some of the renal causes of kidney failure are from sepsis, medications, rhabdomyolysis, multiple myeloma, and acute glomerulonephritis. Post renal causes of kidney failure include bladder obstruction, prostate problems, tumors, or kidney stones. Treatment options included diet, medications, or dialysis.
Muscle cramps are involuntarily and forcibly contracted muscles that do not relax. Extremely common, any muscles that have voluntary control, including some organs, are subject to cramp. Since there is such variety in the types of muscle cramps that can occur, many causes and preventative medications are known. Stretching is the most common way to stop or prevent most muscle cramps.
Blood clots can occur in the venous and arterial vascular system. Blood clots can form in the heart, legs, arteries, veins, bladder, urinary tract and uterus. Risk factors for blood clots include high blood pressure and cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and family history. Symptoms of a blood clot depend on the location of the clot. Some blood clots are a medical emergency. Blood clots are treated depending upon the cause of the clot. Blood clots can be prevented by lowering the risk factors for developing blood clots.
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The two types of diabetes are referred to as type 1 (insulin dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin dependent). Symptoms of diabetes include increased urine output, thirst, hunger, and fatigue. Treatment of diabetes depends on the type.
Cholesterol is naturally produced by the body, and is a building block for cell membranes and hormones. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is the "bad" cholesterol, conversely, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is the "good" cholesterol. High cholesterol treatment includes lifestyle changes (diet and exercise), and medications such as statins, bile acid resins, and fibric acid derivatives.
Corns and calluses are sometimes painful areas of thickened skin that appear between the toes and fingers or on the soles of the feet. Abnormal foot anatomy, ill-fitting footwear, and unusual gait can put increased pressure in specific areas, causing corns and calluses. Treatment may involve using over-the-counter salicylic-acid products, visiting a podiatrist to be fitted with an orthotic device, or surgical removal.
Insulin resistance is the diminished ability of cells to respond to the action of insulin in transporting glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream into muscle and other tissues. Causes of insulin can include conditions such as stress, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and steroid use. Some of the risk factors for insulin resistance include fatty liver, heart disease, strokes, peripheral vascular disease, high cholesterol, and smoking. Treatment for insulin resistance are lifestyle changes and if necessary, medication.
Heart disease (coronary artery disease) is caused by a buildup of cholesterol deposits in the coronary arteries. Risk factors for heart disease include smoking, high blood pressure, heredity, diabetes, peripheral artery disease, and obesity. Symptoms include chest pain and shortness of breath. There are a variety of tests used to diagnose coronary artery disease. Treatment includes life-style changes, medications, procedures, or surgery.
The major goal in treating diabetes is controlling elevated blood sugar without causing abnormally low levels of blood sugar. Treatment for type 1 diabetes is with insulin, exercise, and a diabetic diet. Treatment for type 2 diabetes is first treated with weight reduction, a diabetic diet, and exercise. When these measures fail to control the elevated blood sugar, oral medications are used. If oral medications are still insufficient, insulin medications are considered.
Intermittent claudication, or pain and cramping in the lower leg is caused by inadequate blood flow to the leg muscles. This lack of blood flow causes a decrease in oxygen delivered to the muscles of the legs. Claudication is generally felt when walking and decreases with rest. In severe cases, claudication may be felt at rest. Narrowing of arteries cause claudication. Treatment includes exercise, medication, and in some cases surgery.
Aseptic necrosis (avascular necrosis or osteonecrosis) is a condition that develops when blood supply diminishes to an area of bone and causes bone death. Though aseptic necrosis may be painless, pain is often associated when the degenerating bone is used. If caught early, aseptic necrosis may be treated by grafting new bone into the degenerating area. In later stages, joint replacement surgery may be required.
Cholesterol is the most common type of steroid in the body. The treatment of elevated cholesterol involves not only diet but also weight loss, regular exercise, and medications. By understanding your cholesterol profile you can better manage your cholesterol levels.
Lymphedema is a condition in which one or more extremities become swollen as the result of an impaired flow of the lymphatic system. There are two types of lymphedema; primary, secondary. Filariasis is the most common cause of lymphedema worldwide; however, in the U.S. breast cancer surgery is the most common cause. Symptoms include swelling of one or more limbs, thickening, cracked, and secondary bacterial or fungal infections of the skin. There is no cure for lymphedema.
Diabetes-related foot problems can affect your health with two problems: diabetic neuropathy, where diabetes affects the nerves, and peripheral vascular disease, where diabetes affects the flow of blood. Common foot problems for people with diabetes include athlete's foot, fungal infection of nails, calluses, corns, blisters, bunions, dry skin, foot ulcers, hammertoes, ingrown toenails, and plantar warts.
Vitamins and exercise can lower your risk for heart attack and heart disease. Folic acid, vitamins, and homocysteine levels are interconnected and affect your risk for heart disease or heart attack. Antioxidants and exercise also play a key role in heart attack and heart disease prevention. Lower your risk factors for heart disease and heart attack by lowering cholesterol, lowering blood pressure, diabetes prevention, and smoking cesssation.
Blood is a liquid that flows within blood vessels. It is
constantly in motion as the heart pumps blood through arteries to the different organs and cells of
the body. The blood is returned back to the heart by the veins. Veins are
squeezed when muscles in the body contract and push the blood back to the heart.
Blood clotting is an important mechanism to help the body repair injured
blood vessels. Blood consists of:
red blood cells containing
hemoglobin that
carry oxygen to cells and remove
carbon dioxide (the waste product of metabolism),
white blood cells that fight
infection,
platelets that are part of the clotting process of the body, and
blood plasma, which contains fluid, chemicals and
proteins that are important for
bodily functions.
Complex mechanisms exist in the bloodstream to form
clots where they are needed. If the lining of the blood vessel...
If you think you have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
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I was recently told about having PAD. I am 33 yrs old and I have been having issues since I was 23. I've always been going to the doctors and telling them my symptoms and always get put off. It wasn't til one of my veins burst that finally something got figured out. It took 2 years after the vien burst but at least I can finally move on without much trouble. If they would of listened when I was 23, I might not be where I am now. I no longer can work and am constantly fatigued.