When one has build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries, it then restricts blood supply to ones leg muscles causing the walls of blood vessels causes them to narrow.
Diagnosis Tests
The ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI) test is widely used to diagnose PAD, as well as assess how well you’re responding to treatment.
While you lie on your back, the Healthcare professional or practice nurse will measure the blood pressure in your upper arms and ankles using a cuff and a Doppler probe (a Doppler probe uses sound waves to determine the blood flow in your arteries)
After your scan, the medical professional will divide your blood pressure’s second results (from your ankles) by the first results (from your arms).
If your circulation is healthy, the blood pressure in both parts of your body should be exactly or almost the same. This would make the result of your ABPI 1.
If one has Peripheral vascular disease, the blood pressure in your ankle will be lower because of a reduction in blood supply. This would make the result of the ABPI less than 1 (see the above picture).
Cause
Standing up or sitting down for long periods
Not moving around when standing up or sitting down for long periods
If the blood flow to the legs becomes severely restricted, critical limb ischaemia (CLI) can develop. CLI is an extremely serious complication that can be challenging to treat.
Symptoms of CLI include:
A severe burning pain in your legs and feet that continues even when you’re resting
Your skin turning pale, shiny, smooth and dry
Wounds and ulcers (open sores) on your feet and legs that do not heal
Loss of muscle mass in your legs
The skin on your toes or lower limbs becoming cold and numb, turning red and then black, and/or beginning to swell and produce smelly pus, causing severe pain (gangrene)
Cholesterol emboli syndrome (also known as the “blue toe syndrome”) – (net like appearance on the skin when feeling cold and then disappears when warmed up – this may indicate a blocked artery)
Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice
Detailed Information
Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Peripheral Vascular Disease in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).
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