This cardiovascular condition does not usually generate initial symptoms in patients
By: Luisa Ochoa
October 23, 2023
In the United States, more than 8 million people suffer from arterial disease peripheral or also known as peripheral arterial disease, a condition characterized by obstruction of blood flow to the lower extremities. Fortunately, there are treatments and science is advancing in the development of new therapies that provide more hope to patients who are in an advanced state of the disease.
This was announced by Dr. Damián Grovas, interventional cardiologist during the second edition of Tu Heart Health in Good Hands from the Medicine and Public Health Magazine, in alliance with the Cardiovascular Center of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.
“Surgical procedures for the treatment of peripheral arterial disease”
“Today the technology is advanced and we go from the simple balloon, where one puts a balloon in an area where the injury or blockage of the artery is. There are also antiplatelet medications that can help the patient; a balloon, stent can be used or atherectomy. There is a solution, but the patient must be diagnosed in time,” he explained.
Among the surgical treatments for arterial disease Peripheral is angioplasty, where the doctor inflates a small balloon in the artery to flatten the plaque. Revascularization surgery is also available to treat severe pain, heal wounds, or save a damaged leg when angioplasty is unlikely to work.
In addition to these two treatments, atherectomy can also be implemented, a minimally invasive procedure where the artery is opened and cut or the disease causing the narrowing or blockage of the vessel is removed.
“There are many modalities and hope for the patient with arterial disease peripheral. There is a solution, whether surgical or endovascular,” highlighted the specialist.
“Lifestyle changes are key”
The management of this condition includes the use of medications, lifestyle changes and exercise programs with the aim of reducing the risks of heart attack and improving the ability to perform daily activities.
“One of the pieces of advice for patients is to try to eat healthy (the Mediterranean diet is recommended), exercise almost daily and maintain an adequate weight. This will lead them to not develop arterial disease and if the patient has it, he or she will feel better,” the cardiologist emphasized.
Likewise, the expert mentioned that the primary doctor must monitor diabetes, hypertension and cholesterol in patients who are at risk or who have been diagnosed with arterial disease peripheral.
“Essentially, one of the recommendations given to the patient and to the referral, the primary doctor, is the control of diabetes. The glycosylated hemoglobin must be less than 7 and the glucose well controlled. The control of hypertension; the systolic pressures less than 130 and 80. Also controlling cholesterol, especially LDL, and not smoking, that is very important,” he clarified.
Likewise, physical activity is key to controlling the arterial disease peripheral. For this reason, the cardiologist highlighted the benefits of activities such as swimming, cycling, and outdoor exercises.
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