McLeod Health issued the following announcement on January 20.
Dr. Eva Rzucidlo
McLeod Vascular Surgeon
McLeod Vascular Associates
Peripheral Arterial Disease is a disease most people have never heard about. It affects more than 20 million people according to reports from the American Heart Association.
Peripheral Arterial Disease occurs when layers of fat build up on the inner linings of the blood vessels throughout the body and limits blood flow. It usually involves the arteries running to the legs and feet.
Peripheral Arterial Disease typically affects people over age 50, but the risk increases with smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and a history of heart disease.
The symptoms include aches, numbness, and burning sensations in the legs and feet. Patients may have leg pain while walking and sores that will not heal. Amputation is a common treatment for the disease in its advanced stages.
Many patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease also have diabetes. Nerve loss associated with the disease can dull or eliminate the sensation in the feet, and with no pain there may be no warning that wounds are not healing. With regular medical care ulcers can heal reducing the rate of amputation.
The strongest risk factors for Peripheral Arterial Disease are diabetes and smoking. Other risk factors that increase a person’s chances of developing this condition include:
- Overweight/obesity
- Physical inactivity
- High blood pressure
- High LDL (bad) cholesterol
In many cases, Peripheral Arterial Disease can be controlled or prevented by lifestyle changes, such as exercising and dieting to lose weight and lower blood cholesterol. The single most important thing a person can do is to stop smoking.
Early detection is important. Some patients wait too long before seeing a physician about their foot wound. Whatever a patient’s medical history or prior treatment, high risk patients in danger of losing a limb should be evaluated by a Vascular Surgeon.
Vascular Surgeons evaluate the color, texture, temperature and nerve function of the patient’s toes and fingers. They also measure the blood pressure in each limb with a simple ankle-brachial index test, performed in the office, which compares the blood pressure in the patient’s arm to the blood pressure in the ankle. If the pressure in the ankle is lower than the pressure in the arm, the patient may have Peripheral Arterial Disease.
Managing Peripheral Arterial Disease so patients don’t get ulcers or severely restricted blood flow requires regular check-ups. Those in need of regular medical care may have access challenges such as distance to a medical center, not being able to take time off from work, or transportation issues.
At McLeod Vascular Associates, we want to remain accessible to all patients with healthcare needs. Patients can request a virtual Televisit appointment to be seen by a McLeod Vascular Surgeon from the comfort of their home. Patients will need to provide a working email address and the phone number to their smart phone. McLeod Vascular Associates staff can assist anyone who is interested in scheduling a Televisit.
Once diagnosed with Peripheral Arterial Disease, the goals for treatment include reducing symptoms, improving quality of life and mobility, and preventing a heart attack, stroke or amputation. At McLeod Vascular Associates, we work with patients diagnosed with Peripheral Arterial Disease to determine the best treatment options to help achieve these goals.
Bio: Dr. Eva Rzucidlo is a board certified vascular surgeon with additional vascular research fellowship training. Dr. Rzucidlo cares for patients at McLeod Vascular Associates in Florence and Hartsville. For information on scheduling appointments, please call (843) 777-7043.
Original source can be found here.
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