About Diabetes & Peripheral Artery Disease

Peripheral artery disease is a devastating complication of diabetes. By learning about diabetes and peripheral artery disease, diabetic related amputations can be prevented, leading to better quality of life.

Peripheral Artery Disease

• Peripheral artery disease, also known as PAD, is caused when fatty buildup (usually cholesterol) narrows or clogs the arteries that feed organs and tissues outside the heart. It most commonly affects the feet but may also affect the hands and kidneys.

Diabetes

• Diabetes is the inability to regulate glucose levels in the blood. This can increase scarring in the artery walls that allows fatty buildups to occur and also increases the stickiness or clogging of the blood.

Disease Progression

• As blood flow diminishes, so does the ability of the tissues to heal from injury. Decreased healing and poor oxygen delivery to the feet can result in the need for amputation.

Prevention

• Closely regulating glucose and cholesterol levels are the best ways to prevent PAD-complicated diabetes.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of peripheral artery disease include muscle cramps and pain while walking, cold or tingling feet, wounds that are slow to heal and hair loss in the lower legs.

Warning

• If you are diabetic, have your feet checked by your physician at each appointment. If you experience any symptoms of PAD, contact your physician for an evaluation.