Peripheral artery disease self-care: Tips for managing PAD

Leg pain that gets better with rest is a common symptom of PAD.

In the United States, more than 6.5 million people ages 40 and older have peripheral artery disease (PAD). However, the condition often goes unrecognized and untreated, causing serious health complications for those affected.

Although there is no cure, there are self-care measures you can take for peripheral artery disease to stop your symptoms from getting worse.

What is peripheral artery disease?

PAD is a circulatory condition that occurs when the arteries become narrowed, reducing blood flow to the arms and legs. It's often a sign of atherosclerosis or plaque buildup in the arteries.

Plaque is made up of cholesterol, fats and other substances. The arteries have a smooth lining that allows blood to flow steadily to different parts of the body. But when plaque builds up inside the artery walls, they become narrower and blood can't flow as easily. Blood clots can also form around the plaque buildup, causing the arteries to narrow even more. If the blockage is severe enough, it can damage the tissues below the blockage or cause them to die.

Risk factors for PSD are the same as coronary artery disease. These include:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Smoking
• Diabetes

What are the symptoms of peripheral artery disease?

PAD doesn't always have symptoms. But the most common symptom is leg pain with physical activity that gets better with rest. Other symptoms of PAD include:

• Absent or weak pulse in the feet or legs
• Achiness, heaviness or numbness in the leg muscles when walking or climbing stairs
• Cold or numb toes
• Hair loss or slowed hair growth on the legs
• Pale, bluish skin
• Skin that is cool to the touch
• Sores or wounds on the feet, legs or toes that heal slowly or not at all

If PAD gets worse, you might experience leg pain when you rest or lie down.

Can you prevent peripheral artery disease?

If you're worried about developing PAD, there are ways to reduce your risk. Making lifestyle changes can reduce symptoms or slow the progression of the condition. You may even be able to reverse the symptoms in some cases.

Some things to consider include:

• Smoking cessation: One of the best ways to reduce your risk of PAD — as well as heart attack and stroke — is to quit smoking. If you already have PAD, quitting smoking can help stop it from progressing.
• Exercise: Getting enough regular physical activity can also help prevent PAD or reduce its symptoms. Ask your doctor to monitor your exercise regimen by participating in supervised exercise therapy (SET). A SET regimen may include walking, leg exercises and treadmill activity. Alternating between activity and rest can help you build up physical endurance and delay or alleviate pain.
• Healthy eating: Diet changes can also help prevent or slow the progression of PAD. High cholesterol is a risk factor for the disease, so eating a diet low in saturated and trans fats is important for keeping blood cholesterol levels down. The Mediterranean diet may be beneficial for preventing PAD and has been linked to more stable blood sugar levels and lower cholesterol. Mediterranean-style eating emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, beans and extra-virgin olive oil. It limits dairy, red meat and highly processed foods.

Practicing PAD self-care

If you have PAD, practicing self-care can help you manage the disease. Although it might be tempting to limit your physical activity to keep your legs from hurting, exercise can be helpful for managing symptoms. But it's important to listen to your body. If your legs start to hurt when you walk or exercise, take a break until the pain subsides. Don't push through the pain — this can make it worse. Stretching before you walk or exercise can help. If your doctor hasn't recommended SET, talk to them before starting an exercise regimen of your own. You want to make sure you don't do anything that could make your symptoms worse.

Since PAD typically affects the legs, it's important to take care of them. Wearing the right shoes can help reduce pain and keep you comfortable when walking. Make sure to check your feet for anything out of the ordinary, such as cracks or sores that aren't healing. If something doesn't look right, alert your doctor.

The most important factor to consider with dietary changes is keeping cholesterol levels down. Eating more soluble fibers — found in apples, pears and oatmeal — can help. Omega-3 fatty acids and plant-based proteins such as chickpeas and edamame are also good choices. Avoid high-cholesterol foods like butter, eggs, red meat and anything fried.

It's possible to live well, even with PAD

If lifestyle changes and self-care aren't enough, you should talk to your doctor about medication. Certain medications can help prevent blood clots, reduce your chance of heart attack or stroke, and increase blood flow to your legs and feet, which can help alleviate pain. Always take medication as prescribed.

You can still live well with PAD. With the right treatment and management techniques, you can improve your quality of life and have more pain-free days.