Fat Heart

PAD, otherwise known as peripheral artery disease, is one of the most commonly missed conditions among patients in determining their heart health. The reason for this is because they symptoms can often be overlooked or blown off as simple aches and pains. Also, PAD is easily thought to be any number of other minor problems that can happen in our legs, thighs and hips as we age. Here are some things about PAD that you should know:

The symptoms of PAD can be anything from painful to minor, depending on the stage it is in. Generally, PAD symptoms include pain in the legs, hips and lower body that comes on when you exercise and then subsides when you stop. Other commons symptoms of PAD include a drop in temperature in one or both legs and sores that will not heal on your legs or feet. Sometimes gangrene develops in severe cases of PAD. Some people will not experience any symptoms at all with PAD, making it all the more dangerous and difficult to diagnose.

One of the biggest problems with PAD is that people will often write off simple leg pains and aches as being no big deal. PAD is sometimes not even reported to the doctor until it is very severe, making it even harder to treat. If you feel pain in your legs that is fairly regular, and is situated in the muscles and not the joints, then you should report that to your doctor. They can screen you for PAD and make certain you are not at risk.

PAD is one of the many things that can contribute to coronary artery disease and stroke. Patients with PAD have an increased risk of most all coronary problems and stroke. It is absolutely vital that you report any concerns to your doctor as soon as you consider them yourself. Mention PAD to your doctor and he can help you decide if you need to be screened or not. Keeping our heart healthy often means taking care of other areas of our bodies.

Common risk factors for PAD include smoking, weight gain, high blood pressure, diabetes, lack of exercise and cholesterol problems. Each of these things we can control to some degree. If you are falling short in any of these areas, you can do something about it. See your health care provider for plans on how to control this risk factors and get on the path to a heart healthy future.

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