Understanding Peripheral Artery Occlusion
Peripheral artery occlusion is caused by artery hardening, blood clots in the arteries, inflammation or infection of the arteries, or other risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, or high blood pressure. This condition limits blood supply to various tissues, particularly the legs, and can be both chronic and acute. Symptoms often include numbness in the legs, cold feet, leg pain, and in some cases, severe pain that requires stopping walking, tissue death, and the inability to feel the pulse in the legs. The arteries in the legs are common sites for blockage, especially in obese people who are more likely to develop blocked arteries in the legs.
Signs That an Artery May Be Blocked
The initial signs indicating that an artery may be blocked include calf pain, foot pain, or leg pain after walking or exercising that improves with rest. The pain is caused by muscle starvation for blood or oxygen due to the blockage. If left untreated, the artery blockage can lead to numbness, coldness in the feet, and in diabetic patients, wounds that do not heal. If the condition worsens, it could result in a sudden lack of blood supply leading to muscle and tissue death in the affected foot, necessitating the removal of the tissue, toe, or foot, because if left untreated, the toxins from the dead tissue can spread throughout the body.
Preventing Artery Blockage
Start by getting a physical exam, especially if you have suspicious symptoms such as foot pain or calf pain from excessive walking, or if you are at risk due to four or five factors mentioned earlier. Early detection enables you to take proper care of yourself to prevent the condition from worsening. Initial self-care includes regular leg muscle exercises, like brisk walking or jogging at least three days a week for 30 minutes each. For those who are overweight, weight loss, diet control, and managing chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol are also important. By doing so, you can help prevent the condition from becoming more severe.
