Peripheral Arterial Diseases pose wider challenge

Peripheral Arterial Diseases pose wider challenge
Specialized vascular surgeons exhort caution and timely decision

Fighting peripheral arterial diseases
Experts advise caution and surgery as effective modes

Ambala, March 18. Vascular diseases termed as Peripheral Arterial Disease or P.A.D is increasingly becoming a major concern area for vascular surgeons worldwide. Developed as a speciality discipline since 1960s and 1970s by San Francisco based Surgeon Edwin Wylie, vascular surgery is becoming more relevant with larger number of patients above the age of 50 years becoming afflicted with one or the other arterial or vascular disorder. Though the world celebrates ‘Vascular Day’ on August 6, still very few people actually realize and acknowledge the seriousness of the disease which is potentially fatal if not treated well in time. With the increasing incidence of Diabetes in our country the incidence of PVD is bound to rise in the time to come.

Opines Dr Ravul Jindal, Vascular and Endovascular Consultant with Fortis Hospital, Mohali, that largely seen associated with phenomenon of aging, vascular disorders like P.A.D are more serious than they normally appear. Often unknown and unrecognized by individuals as a disease, P.A.D happens usually because of blockage or clogging of arteries taking blood out of heart to other body areas. More commonly seen in legs, the normal symptoms of P.A.D include pain, tiredness, fatigue in leg, thighs and buttocks while moving. Such symptoms, termed as ‘claudication’, disappear with rest while other symptoms such as ulcers and wounds in toe and pain in foot while asleep are normally underestimated.

Dr Jindal who has received advanced training in vascular surgical procedures from St Mary’s Hospital, London adds that people suffering from P.A.D run two to six times greater risk of dying from heart attack or stroke as compared to others. Smokers, diabetics, people with high blood pressure and family history are more vulnerable. Cautions Dr Jindal, P.A.D or diseases of arteries or veins can potentially cause a heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular complication if not treated in time. Amputation of limbs like legs due to blockage of circulation is another nightmare which looms large over any advanced stage P.A.D patient. P.A.D happens normally in form of attacks like a leg attack just like a heart attack whereby the limb is rendered waste due to blockage or stoppage of blood circulation. Timely detection and treatment through surgery or angioplasty can help avoid drastic steps like surgical amputation. Most of these amputations can be prevented if the patient receives early intervention in form of proper medical and vascular surgery treatment.

While prevention and life style changes leading to a healthy circulation of blood from heart to various body parts and vice versa is the best way to avoid arterial or vascular diseases, administration of anti clogging or antiplatelet drugs and specialized vascular surgery with minimally invasive catheter procedures are advanced treatments for P.A.D. Lowering blood pressure, LDL (Bad Cholestrol) levels, managing blood glucose and regular exercises, suggests Dr Jindal, are best ways to prevent P.A.D. Even as very few specialized vascular surgeons are available for vascular surgery in our country which has developed as an advanced specialized treatment from normal and cardiovascular surgery, still experts feel that prevention and precaution are effective ways to deal with arterial diseases.