Chronic arterial insufficiency (CAI) may be a common condition affecting predominantly older patients. It normally involves the lower limbs and is typically thanks to progressive furring up and hardening of the arteries thanks to atherosclerosis. It typically presents with lameness (IC) and calf pain on walking, relieved by rest. A relatively small number of patients presenting with IC will reach the more serious condition of critical limb ischaemia (CLI). Several modifiable risk factors for CAI are demonstrated, including smoking, diabetes, hypertension, and lipid problems. Management of IC includes risk factor modification, supervised exercise training, and antiplatelet agents. Patients with severe IC and everyone those with CLI should be investigated under the supervision of a multidisciplinary team with a view to revascularization of the affected limb. Interventions may include angioplasty and/or vascular surgery. Prognosis for patients presenting with CLI remains poor with only 45% being alive with two legs a year after presentation. Of the rest, 30% are going to be alive having had a serious amputation, and 25% will have died.

Symptoms

• Painful cramping in one or both of your hips, thighs or calf muscles after certain activities, like walking or climbing stairs.
• Leg numbness or weakness.
• Coldness in your lower leg or foot, especially in comparison with the opposite side.
• Sores on your toes, feet or legs that will not heal.
• A change in the colour of your legs.

Risk factors

Factors that increase your risk of developing peripheral artery disease include:

• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Obesity (a body mass index over 30)
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Increasing age, especially after age 65 or after 50 if you've got risk factors for atherosclerosis
• A case history of peripheral artery disease, heart condition or stroke
• High levels of homocysteine, an aminoalkanoic acid that helps your body make protein and to create and maintain tissue
• People who smoke or have diabetes have the best risk of developing peripheral artery disease thanks to reduced blood flow.

Prevention

• The best way to prevent claudication is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. That means:
• Quit smoking if you're a smoker.
• If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar in good control.
• Exercise regularly. Aim for 30 to 45 minutes of exercise several times every week after you've gotten your doctor's OK.
• Lower your cholesterol and vital sign levels, if needed.
• Eat foods that are low in saturated fat.
• Maintain a healthy weight.

Media Contact:

John Mathews

Journal Manager

Current Trends in Cardiology

Email: cardiologyres@eclinicalsci.com