How to Prevent Peripheral Artery Disease

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) often develops when the arteries to the legs become partially or completely blocked by cholesterol plaques. This process may begin as early as the teen years, with usually no obvious symptoms at first. The condition typically advances with age, as arteries narrow, causing a lack of blood and oxygen to the legs. Eventually, patients may experience symptoms such as pain in the lower extremities and slow healing of leg wounds and ulcers. Lifestyle changes are the most practical way to reduce the risk factors for the disease; the sooner these changes are made, the better.

Instructions

• 1

  Maintain a healthy weight. Consuming adequate dietary fiber is essential to manage weight. Insoluble fiber sources found in vegetables and whole grains help speed digestion. Preventing weight gain also decreases the risk for diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, all of which may increase the risk for peripheral artery disease. Patients with type 2 diabetes, for example, are three times more likely to develop PAD and are at greater risk for heart disease.

• 2

  Eat a healthy diet. If at risk for any type of vascular disease , include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and high fiber foods to daily meals. Limit salt intake and consume less sugar and saturated fats. Include more fish and poultry, instead of red meat, as sources of protein.

• 3

  Keep LDL (bad cholesterol) levels low. High cholesterol levels contribute to atherosclerosis, a major symptom associated with peripheral artery disease, causing plaque to build up on the inside of arteries. LDL cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL are advised. For patients with heart disease risk factors other than PAD, it may be necessary to lower LDL below 70 mg/dL to reduce risk.

• 4

  Exercise regularly. Physical activity improves circulation in the legs, and even short daily workouts can be helpful. Patients unable to perform aerobic exercise every day can walk three times a week to increase blood flow and move oxygen to the lower extremities. If walking is not appealing, consider swimming three or four times weekly or riding a stationary bike.

• 5

  Take vitamin supplements. While there is no definitive evidence that supplementation reduces the risk for peripheral artery disease, folate and B12 deficiencies can be linked to elevated levels of certain amino acids, which may be related to a higher risk for PAD.

• 6

  Don't smoke. The nicotine in tobacco products constricts the arteries, decreasing blood flow. Smoking may be the number one risk factor for peripheral artery disease, increasing the risk by as much as 25 times, particularly when other risk factors are present.