PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE AND LPA AND HOMOCYSTINE

THERE IS A CONNECTION BETWEEN PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE AND THE ACCUMULATION OF CHOLESTEROL, NAMELY, INCREASED AMOUNTS OF LPA(APOa) AND HOMOCYSTINE. PAD WHICH IS THE ABBREVIATION FOR PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE IS A NARROWING OF THE ARTERIES IN THE LEGS.THE SYMPTOMS FOR PAD IN ITS BEGINNINGS IS THE INABILITY TO WALK LONG DISTANCES AND WHAT USUALLY HAPPENS IS ONE EXPERIENCES PAIN IN THE CALF OF THE LEGS AND THIS PAIN SUBSIDES WHEN ONE STOPS WALKING.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN PAD

CHANGES IN THE COLOR OF LEGS
COLDNESS IN ONE FOOT MORE THAN THE OTHER
SORES THAT DO NOT HEAL
HAIR LOSS ON FEET OR LEGS
CHANGES IN THE TOE NAILS

WHEN PAD IS PRESENT IT IS A GOOD INDICATION THAT THERE IS A GENERAL BUILD UP OF PLAQUE IN THE ARTERIES. I WOULD BET TO GUESS THAT WHEN ONE HAS PAD THEY HAVE A GOOD CHANCE OF HAVING FAMILIAL HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA. THIS IS THE GENETIC CHOLESTEROL. IF THIS DISEASE IS NOT TREATED THE CHANCES OF LOOSING A LIMB ARE HIGH.THE TREATMENT IS TO LOWER CHOLESTEROL AND THIS DISEASE IS TREATED WITH MEDICATIONS. STATINS ARE NOT THE FIRST LINE OF TREATMENT AND SHOULD BE ALONG WITH THE OTHER MEDICATIONS FOR FH (NIASPAN)AND IF DEALING WITH HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE ALTACE IS AN ACE INHIBITOR AND HAS THE ABILITY TO PROTECT THE KIDNEYS,IT IS THE DRUG OF CHOICE WHEN A BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATION IS NEEDED.

LIFESTYLE CHANGES ARE MANDATORY,IF YOU SMOKE STOP,ALSO WHAT IS EVEN MORE CRUCIAL IS EXERCISE,AS AN INACTIVE LIFESTYLE WILL ESCALATE THIS DISEASE.DIABETIC'S ALSO HAVE TO TAKE CARE IN CONTROLLING THEIR DISEASE BY KEEPING THEIR BLOOD SUGAR IN AN ACCEPTABLE RANGE AT ALL TIMES AS DIABETES IS A RISK FACTOR FOR INCREASED HEART DISEASE AND STROKE.KEEPING FEET CLEAN AND WEAR HEAVY WHITE SOCK AS THIS ABSORBS MOISTURE WHEN YOUR FEET SWEAT.

IF YOU HAVE PAIN IN THE CALF OF YOUR LEG SEE YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. WHEN ARTERIES NARROW IN THE LEGS IT IS VERY EASY FOR THESE CLOTS TO GO TO THE HEART AND BRAIN.

THE RISK FACTORS FOR PAD ARE THE SAME AS THOSE WITH HIGH LPA AN CHOLESTEROL

THE GOAL IS TO HAVE THE LDL CHOLESTEROL AT LESS THAN 100MM.

AS ALWAYS
STAY HEALTHY
LAURA