Patient was educated on pathogenesis of peripheral artery disease as follows:
- Peripheral artery disease(PAD) is a narrowing of the blood vessels, especially in the extremities.
- Peripheral artery disease most commonly affects the lower extremities, but other sites can also be involved.
- The following are major risk factors for peripheral artery disease:
- Smoking
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Elevated cholesterol
- All the above factors play interactive roles in compromising the blood supply, especially to the distal extremities.
- Compromise in the blood supply will result in reduced oxygen and nutrition supply to the distal affected part of the limb.
- The sensitivity in the distal parts can also get affected, secondary to compromise in the oxygen supply and result in neuropathy.
Compromised blood supply and neuropathy together can result in ulcers in the distal limb. These ulcers are at risk to get infected and are difficult to heal.
