Peripheral Artery Disease

620 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Peripheral vascular disease quizlet

Peripheral artery disease is usually caused by atherosclerosis, which is when fatty deposits accumulate in the arteries of, most likely, limbs. This does affect all arteries throughout the body, then in turn, slowing the blood flow. PAD may also be due to inflammation of the blood vessels, injury to the extremities, or even exposure to radiation. “Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) affects approximately 10% of the American population” (Gurbir Dhaliwal; Peripheral arterial disease: Epidemiology, natural history, diagnosis and treatment; 2007). If not taken care of, PAD may lead to critical limb ischemia, open sores on the feet or legs that become infected by gangrene. The gangrene is then removed surgically, but doctors might have to amputate the extremity all together. Another issue that arises with PAD if it is not under control is the risk of stroke or heart attack. These can cause death to part of the heart or brain, or even death itself. The population more at risk would be smokers, diabetics, people who are obese, those with hypertension or hyperlipidemia, over the age of 50, have a family history of PAD, or those with a high level of homocysteine. If someone does fall into a few of these categories a physician can do a few tests to check for PAD. The doctor will more than likely start off with a physical exam, blood test, and possibly an ultrasound. From there the physician may try an ankle-brachial index, or ABI, which compares the blood pressure of the feet to the blood pressure of the arm. “An American survey of 2174 patients older than 40 years of age used the ankle-brachial index (ABI) as a screening tool, and showed a PAD prevalence of 0.9% between the ages of 40 and 49 years, 2.5% between the ages of 50 and 59 years, ...

... middle of paper ...

...ome may be combined with other hear diseases or it may be PAD specifically. Facebook is a newer social media on the internet that many people enjoy visiting, and may also be used as a tool to connect and find support for this condition. On www.facebook.com/PeripheralArteryDisease is a page that talks about the experiences others have, signs and symptoms, real-life stories from others with PAD. Peripheral artery disease can be painful and hard to live with, but there are many opportunities to decrease the severity and possibly may be able to diminish the symptoms all together.

Works Cited

• Dhaliwal, Gurbir; (2007); Peripheral Arterial Disease: Epidemiology, natural history, diagnosis and treatment; www.nih.gov
• Anonymous authors; (present); www.facebook.com/PeripheralAteryDisease
• Mayo Clinic Staff; (2012); Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD); www.mayoclinic.com

Show More
Related

  • Analysis and Description of Ehlers danlos Syndrome

    1680 Words  | 4 Pages

    Type I and II classic EDS are identifiable by the smooth hyperextensible skin, anomalous wound healing, and joint hypermobility (Malfait F, Wenstrup R, De Paepe A, 2007) (see figure 1). Type III hypermobile EDS is the least drastic type of EDS, musculoskeletal complications may occur. The skin is smooth and slightly hyperextensible, bruising is also common. The hypermobile EDS patient suffers from chronic pain associated with dislocation from a slight amount of trauma (Levy, 2004). Type IV vascular EDS is recognizable by the translucent thin skin, easy bruising, facial manifestation (only present for some EDS patients), and finally by the fragility of the arterial, intestinal and (in some cases) the uterine (Pepin and Byers, 1999). Type VI kyphoscoloitic EDS can be identified at birth from severe muscular hypotonia. The skin is hyperextensible, thin scarring, bruising from minimal trauma, and joint laxity (Yeowell and Steinmann, 2000). Type VII A and B arthrochalasia can be identified by joint hypermobility, as well as fragile skin and tissue deformities. The hypermobile joints lead to severe dislocations and paralyzation...

    Read More

  • EhlersDanlos Syndrome

    1021 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the Hypermobile type of EDS the joints of the body experience Hypermobility, which is the dominant clinical manifestation. General joint hypermobility affects large (elbows, knees) and small (fingers and toes) joints are evident. Skin is hyperextensible, smooth/velvety, and bruising occurs easily as well. Reoccurring joint dislocations are common, and joints such as shoulder, patella, and temporomandibular joint dislocate frequently. Chronic joint and limb pain is a common amongst individuals with Hypermobile type EDS.

    Read More

  • Osgood Shlatter Disease Essay

    1275 Words  | 3 Pages

    Osgood-Schlatter Disease or syndrome (OSD) is an irritation of the patellar ligament at the tibial tuberosity (Dhar). Osgood-Schlatter Disease is claimed by some to not actually be a disease (Sims). But is rather a collection of symptoms that involve the tibial tubercle epiphysis (Sims). Osgood-Schlatter Disease affects as many as 1 in 5 adolescent athletes (Diseases and Conditions: Osgood-Schlatter Disease). Some other common names for this disease are Osteochondrosis, Tibial Aponphysitis, Tibial Tubercle Apophyseal Traction Injury, Morbus Osgood-

    Read More

  • DVT Case Study Nursing

    578 Words  | 2 Pages

    The signs and symptoms of a lower limb DVT varies from asymptomatic to extensive ilio femoral thrombosis(Narani, 2010). The most common clinical manifestation can be sudden swelling of one limb accompanied with pain or tenderness, Her BMI is 28 in the overweight zone. She had 4 episodes of DVT within 2 years.

    Read More

  • Understanding and Management of Venous Thromboembolism

    1381 Words  | 3 Pages

    The upside is that they are preventable. DVT “occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein. These clots usually develop in the lower leg, thigh, or pelvis, but they can also occur in the arm” (CDC.gov, 2012). Anyone at any age can develop DVT. There are certain risk factors that increase a person’s chance of having this chronic condition. Chances are increased further by a person have multiple risk factors at the same time (CDC.gov, 2012). These risk factors can include: injury to a vein, slow blood flow, increased estrogen intake usually birth control pills, certain chronic illnesses such as heart or lung disease, family history of DVT or PE and/or previous DVT or PE (CDC.gov, 2012). Age is another big risk factor. Even though anyone at any age can develop DVT, patients over the age of 60 have an increase risk of developing the condition (Mayo Clinic,

    Read More

  • Essay On Marfan Syndrome

    943 Words  | 2 Pages

    Marfan syndrome is an inherited disorder that affects the connective tissue of the body (“What is Marfan Syndrome?” n.d.). The connective tissue plays a vital role in supported the tendons, heart valves, cartilage, blood vessels, and more parts of the body (“Connective Tissue,” n.d.). “What is Marfan Syndrome?” (n.d.) explains that the condition has no cure, and those who have it lack strength in their connective tissue, affecting their bone, eyes, skin, nervous system, and lungs. Furthermore, Marfan syndrome is common, and it is imperative to understand how the body is affected by it, the symptoms, and the treatment of this condition.

    Read More

  • Nursing Diagnosis

    1434 Words  | 3 Pages

    J.P., a 58 year old female, presents to the Emergency Room on March 18th. She has a past medical history of cervical cancer, atheroembolism of the left lower extremity, fistula of the vagina, peripheral vascular disease, neuropathy, glaucoma, GERD, depression, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and sickle cell anemia. She complains of right lower extremity pain accompanied by fatigue, a decreased appetite, increased work of breathing, burning on urination, and decreased urine output for three days.

    Read More

  • Reflective Essay (observation)

    817 Words  | 2 Pages

    We were divided into couples and each of us had to measure both BP and TPR on a patient. We were given the choice to choose which of the two observations techniques our companion would perform. My partner, Alexandra and I, agreed based on our confidence levels that I would perform TPR and she would take the BP of the patient, whom in this case was a course colleague. Alexandra was the first to perform her observation. After taking the BP of the patient with the blood pressure cuff and sphygmomanometer, she uttered that she could her find the patient’s radial artery which according to Martini and Bartholomew (2007) is found in the wrist and is most often used for its ability to be pressed against the radius’ distal section. As a result she could not measure the patient’s BP. She thereby proposed that I retake the observation. I found the patient’s pulse, completed the BP measurement whiles Alexandra recorded down our observations on an observation chart. Afterwards, I measured the patient’s temperature with a tympanic membran...

    Read More

  • Pulmonary Embolism

    999 Words  | 2 Pages

    A PE usually begins as a clot in a deep vein of the leg, which is called deep vein thrombosis. This clot can break and travel through the bloodstream to the lungs and block the artery. Blood clots can form in the deep veins of the legs if blood flow is restricted and slows down. This can occur when you don’t move around for long periods of time. Some examples that can cause this are some types of surgery, during a long trip in a car or airplane, and if you must stay in bed for an extended period of time. Under rare circumstances an air bubble, part of tumor, or other tissue travels to lungs and causes ...

    Read More

  • Diabetes

    2261 Words  | 5 Pages

    stroke, the disease also takes a major toll on the tiny blood vessels in the

    Read More

  • Importance of Theory

    1948 Words  | 4 Pages

    Yi-Wen, C., Ya-Wen, S., & Miin-Rong, H. (2013). A nursing experience of an amputated patient with peripheral arterial occlusive disease [Chinese]. Tzu Chi Nursing Journal, 12(1), 108-117.

    Read More

  • Atherosclerosis Essay

    1652 Words  | 4 Pages

    Although atherosclerosis affects millions of people around the world, there are many ways to prevent and treat it once it has developed. Simple life style changes can greatly reduce the inflammation and damage to the endothelial wall of the artery. It is very important that people who have high blood pressure or diabetes get regular checkups; if atherosclerosis goes untreated, the adverse effects, such as stroke or myocardial infarction can be deadly.

    Read More

  • Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis

    833 Words  | 2 Pages

    ... common side effect of PD and is a daily challenge for the at home patient. The patient must continuously monitor for any signs and symptoms of infection, such as pain, fever or abdominal swelling. HD patients are aware of the risk for access infections but tend to rely on the clinic nurse to recognize and treat the infection.

    Read More

  • Diabetic Neuropathy

    1981 Words  | 4 Pages

    The most common type is Peripheral Neuropathy. It is also referred to as distal symmetric neuropathy or sensorimotor neuropathy. In this type, the legs, feet, toes, arms, and hands experience pain and loss of sensation. Typically, the lower extremities are involved before the upper extremities and a loss of reflexes is common. It is with this type of neuropathy that ulcers, wounds, infections, and in severe cases, amputation is most common (Dyck, Feldmen, & Vinick).

    Read More

  • Amputation Experience Essay

    1262 Words  | 3 Pages

    According to NHS choices, in an article Amputation – why it is done – reasons for Amputation, the article relays that amputation is done for several reasons. These include Peripheral arterial disease (PAD), Diabetes, Trauma and other reasons like cancer, and serious infections. An example of why an amputation is done is because of a serious infection, a serious injury (trauma) to a limb, and cancer affecting the bone or skin of a limb. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) restricts blood supply

    Read More

More about Peripheral Artery Disease

Open Document