About P.A.D.: What is P.A.D.; Treatment
Treatment:
How is P.A.D. treated?
P.A.D. can be treated with lifestyle changes, medicines and endovascular or surgical procedures, if needed. Since people with P.A.D. are at high risk for heart attacks and stroke, they must take charge of controlling their risk factors related to cardiovascular disease.
These life saving steps will help to prevent and control P.A.D.:
- Get help to quit smoking and set a quit date now.
- Lower your blood pressure to less than 140/90 mmHg or less than 130/80 mmHg if you have diabetes or chronic kidney disease.
- Lower your LDL (bad) cholesterol to less than 100 mg/dl. If you are at very high risk for a heart attack or stroke, your health care provider may recommend an LDL goal of less than 70 mg/dl.
- Manage your blood glucose to reach an A1C level of less than 7 and practice proper foot care if you have diabetes.
- Talk to your doctor about taking anti-platelet medicines such as aspirin or clopidogrel to prevent clotting.
- Follow a healthy eating plan to control your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose (for diabetes).
- Get regular exercise such as walking for 30 minutes at least 3 or 4 times per week. If you have pain or cramps in your legs, ask your health care provider to refer you to a special PAD exercise program. Also, talk with your provider about using medicines such as cilostazol to improve your walking ability.
For most people with P.A.D., these life saving steps may be enough to slow down the disease and even improve any symptoms. If needed, your health care provider can refer you to a specialist for procedures or surgery to treat arteries that are severely blocked and reduce symptoms.
Remember: Finding and treating P.A.D. early can help keep your legs healthy, lower your risk for heart attack or stroke, and save your life and limbs.
