Patient was educated on complications that can arise if peripheral artery disease is caused by atherosclerosis as follows:
- Atherosclerosis
- If your peripheral artery disease is caused by a buildup of plaques in your blood vessels (atherosclerosis), you’re also at risk of developing- Critical limb ischemia and stroke/heart attack.
- Critical limb ischemia
- This condition begins as open sores that don’t heal, an injury, or an infection of your feet or legs.
- Critical limb ischemia occurs when such injuries or infections progress and can cause tissue death (gangrene), sometimes requiring amputation of the affected limb.
- Stroke and heart attack
- The atherosclerosis that causes the signs and symptoms of peripheral artery disease isn’t limited to your legs.
- Fat deposits also build up in arteries supplying your heart and brain which can lead to stroke and heart attack.
