Can You Reverse Peripheral Artery Disease & Is It A Serious Condition?

If you are diagnosed with peripheral artery disease, it implies that there is a clot or interruption in the blood supply flowing through your legs, arms, kidneys, and most vital parts of your body. Although this is a life-threatening condition and can cause serious complications, however, a new study shows a combination of exercise and surgery can reverse your condition.

Treatment for peripheral artery disease primarily aims in reducing symptoms and preventing the severity of the disorder. The main treatments are lifestyle changes, medicine, and in advanced stages, surgery may be required.

If you are suffering from peripheral vascular disease, it should be quite an intimidating situation for you because the disease results in a poor quality of life. The worldwide prevalence of lower extremity peripheral artery disease is between 3 and 10 percent and millions of North Americans are affected by this condition.

The disease is most common in blacks compared to any racial group. Old age, lifestyle habits (smoking and drinking alcohol), and pre-conditions are some of the factors that lead to the development of peripheral artery disease. However, many successful and effective treatments act as an option in managing and to keep the disorder under control. If you are showing symptoms for peripheral artery disorder seek immediate medical attention to reverse your symptoms and relieve you from pain and discomfort.^1,2

People who have a life-threatening condition like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic disorders have lesser chances of walking away from the disease.

Scientists suggest that these conditions require research to cure it. A study was conducted by UC Davis Vascular center under the supervision of its medical director, John Laird.

Clinical trials were conducted on several patients showing a wide range of symptoms of peripheral artery disease. The study showed that stem cells have the potential to improve the patient’s quality of life and to reverse the symptoms. He says, “Stem cell therapies have provided great hope and have given successive results among diabetes patients” This technique can grow blood vessels and restore normal blood supply.

At the same time, peripheral artery disease respond well to a multitude of lifestyle changes such as

• Quit smoking
• Replace your high-fat diet with fresh fruits and vegetable that are low-fat and healthy
• Follow an exercise program under your doctor’s supervision
• Maintain a healthy weight.³

Peripheral artery disease affects millions of people worldwide however the saddest part is many people are not even aware that they are affected by this condition. When the individuals live with peripheral artery disease and leave the condition untreated, it can ultimately lead to chronic cardiovascular diseases such as heartache, stroke/paralysis, leg amputations, and morbidity. Clinical studies demonstrate that peripheral artery disease that left untreated often linked to heart attack and stroke.

When a diabetic patient with peripheral artery disease undergoes amputation for wet gangrene of the foot, it may result in potential limb losses. Diabetic patients are at an increased risk for amputation when compared to non-diabetic people. A study shows that diabetes peripheral artery disease patients with a habit of smoking have 50 percent of chances to undergo amputation over their lifespan. Therefore, pay better attention to common health factors such as smoking, diabetes, cholesterol, and blood pressure because they are the leading factors of causing widespread damages, reducing the range of motion, and also in death.

Although the peripheral artery disease can have serious outcomes, regular physical exercises along with medications can significantly improve symptoms.^4,5

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Also Read:

• Peripheral Artery Disease: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Do’s & Don’ts
• What is Peripheral Artery Disease: Causes, Signs, Symptoms, Diagnosis
• Treatment for Peripheral Artery Disease: Medications, Surgery, Exercise Program
• Recovery Period of Peripheral Artery Disease & its Prognosis|Diet, Exercise, Yoga for Peripheral Artery Disease