How Do You Prevent Peripheral Artery Disease?
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) often develops when the arteries to the legs become partially or completely blocked by cholesterol plaques. This process may begin as early as the teen years, with usually no obvious symptoms at first. The condition typically advances with age, as arteries narrow, causing a lack of blood and oxygen to the legs. Eventually, patients may experience symptoms such as pain in the lower extremities and slow healing of leg wounds and ulcers. Lifestyle changes are the most practical way to reduce the risk factors for the disease; the sooner these changes are made, the better. Maintain a healthy weight. Consuming adequate dietary fiber is essential to manage weight. Insoluble fiber sources found in vegetables and whole grains help speed digestion. Preventing weight gain also decreases the risk for diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, all of which may increase the risk for peripheral artery disease. Patients with type 2 diabetes, for example, are th
