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Peripheral Arterial Disease 1

Peripheral artery disease is a common circulatory problem where narrowed arteries in the limbs, usually the legs, reduce blood flow. This causes the main symptom of leg pain when walking, known as claudication. Claudication is caused by too little blood flow due to narrowed arteries from atherosclerosis, where plaque builds up in the arteries over time hardening and narrowing them. Atherosclerosis limits blood flow leading to ischemia, a shortage of oxygen to tissues, which can damage tissues if severe enough such as in myocardial ischemia of the heart muscle from blocked coronary arteries.

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Pauline Tayaban
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40 views1 page

Peripheral Arterial Disease 1

Peripheral artery disease is a common circulatory problem where narrowed arteries in the limbs, usually the legs, reduce blood flow. This causes the main symptom of leg pain when walking, known as claudication. Claudication is caused by too little blood flow due to narrowed arteries from atherosclerosis, where plaque builds up in the arteries over time hardening and narrowing them. Atherosclerosis limits blood flow leading to ischemia, a shortage of oxygen to tissues, which can damage tissues if severe enough such as in myocardial ischemia of the heart muscle from blocked coronary arteries.

Uploaded by

Pauline Tayaban
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL DISEASE

DEFINITION: Peripheral artery disease (also called peripheral arterial disease) is a


common circulatory problem in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to your limbs
When you develop peripheral artery disease (PAD), your extremities — usually your
legs — don't receive enough blood flow to keep up with demand. This causes
symptoms, most notably leg pain when walking (claudication).
Claudication is pain caused by too little blood flow to your legs or arms. This is usually
a symptom of peripheral artery disease, in which the arteries that supply blood to your
limbs are narrowed, usually because of atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is a disease in which plaque builds up inside your arteries. Plaque is
made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances found in the blood. Over
time, plaque hardens and narrows your arteries. This limits the flow of oxygen-rich
blood to your organs and other parts of your body.
Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot, known as a thrombus, within a blood
vessel. It prevents blood from flowing normally through the circulatory system.
Thrombosis occurs when a thrombus, or blood clot, develops in a blood vessel and
reduces the flow of blood through the vessel. Embolism occurs when a piece of a
blood clot, foreign object, or other bodily substance becomes stuck in a blood vessel
and largely obstructs the flow of blood.
MAY RESULT IN
Ischaemia is a restriction in blood supply to tissues, causing a shortage of oxygen that
is needed for cellular metabolism (to keep tissue alive). Ischemia is generally caused by
problems with blood vessels, with resultant damage to or dysfunction of tissue.
Myocardial ischemia occurs when blood flow to the heart muscle (myocardium) is
obstructed by a partial or complete blockage of a coronary artery by a buildup of
plaques (atherosclerosis). If the plaques rupture, you can have a heart attack
(myocardial infarction).

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