In short,
- Understand the treatment options for PAD in elderly patients.
- Learn about lifestyle changes, medications, and procedures.
- Know when to seek professional care.
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a common condition affecting older adults, impacting blood flow to the legs and feet. This article explores the treatment of PAD in elderly patients, emphasizing the role of vascular specialists in managing this condition.
Understanding Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) happens when arteries in the legs and feet become narrowed or blocked, reducing blood flow. This is often caused by atherosclerosis, where plaque builds up inside the arteries. This reduced blood flow can lead to various symptoms and complications.
Risk Factors for PAD in Older Adults
Several factors increase the risk of developing PAD, especially in older individuals:
- Smoking: Smoking damages blood vessels and increases the risk of plaque buildup.
- High blood pressure: Elevated blood pressure can damage artery walls, making them more susceptible to plaque accumulation.
- High cholesterol: High levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol contribute to plaque formation in the arteries.
- Diabetes: Diabetes can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of PAD.
- Age (over 60): The risk of PAD increases with age as arteries naturally become less flexible and more prone to plaque buildup.
Other risk factors include a family history of PAD, kidney disease, and being of African American descent.
Medical Treatment for PAD in Elderly Patients
The goals of medical treatment for PAD are to reduce symptoms, improve blood flow, and prevent the disease from getting worse. Treatment options range from lifestyle changes to medical procedures. Talk to your doctor to determine the best approach for you.
Lifestyle Modifications
Making lifestyle changes can significantly help manage PAD. These include:
- Quitting smoking: This is crucial for slowing the disease and improving heart health.
- Regular exercise: Walking and other exercises can improve blood flow, reduce leg pain, and increase how far you can walk.
- Healthy diet: A diet low in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol can help prevent more artery blockage.
- Weight management: Maintaining a healthy weight reduces strain on your blood vessels and improves blood flow.
These changes can often improve symptoms and reduce the need for more treatments.
Medications for PAD
Medications may be prescribed to manage PAD symptoms and reduce the risk of problems:
- Antiplatelet drugs (e.g., aspirin, clopidogrel): These medications help prevent blood clots from forming in the arteries, lowering the risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins): These medications lower cholesterol levels, which can help prevent more artery blockage and stabilize existing plaque.
- Medications to control blood pressure: Managing high blood pressure is important for heart health and can help prevent damage to the arteries.
- Cilostazol: This medication can help improve walking distance by widening the arteries and preventing blood clots. It is often prescribed to reduce leg pain (claudication) associated with PAD.
Interventional Procedures for PAD
When lifestyle changes and medications aren’t enough, procedures may be needed to improve blood flow. A vascular specialist can assess your condition and determine the best procedure. These procedures aim to open blocked or narrowed arteries to restore blood flow to the legs and feet.
Angioplasty and Stenting
Angioplasty involves inserting a thin, flexible tube (catheter) with a balloon tip into the blocked artery. The balloon is inflated to widen the artery, and a stent (a small mesh tube) may be placed to keep the artery open.
Atherectomy
Atherectomy involves using a device to remove plaque buildup from the artery walls. This can be done using different techniques, such as cutting, shaving, or laser. This procedure is often used when the plaque is hard or calcified.
Bypass Surgery
In severe cases, bypass surgery may be needed to reroute blood flow around the blocked artery using a graft. The graft can be a synthetic tube or a blood vessel taken from another part of the body. This is usually for patients with many blockages.
Rehabilitation and Ongoing Care
After treatment, rehab and ongoing care are key for maintaining good blood flow and preventing PAD from returning. This includes regular exercise, taking medications as prescribed, and follow-up appointments with your doctor. Vascular rehabilitation programs can help improve walking distance and quality of life.
When to Seek Treatment of PAD in the Elderly in Sarasota and Manatee County
If you have symptoms of PAD, such as leg pain, numbness, or sores that don’t heal, see a doctor right away. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent serious problems, such as amputation. See your doctor for an evaluation and treatment plan.
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following:
- Sudden, severe leg pain
- Cold, pale, or blue foot or leg
- Loss of pulse in the foot or leg
- Signs of infection in a leg sore, such as pus, redness, swelling, or fever
Reach Intercoastal Medical Group’s clinic near you or use our online appointment request form.
