Connection between leg veins and heart attack, what is peripheral artery disease?

Ignoring blockage in the veins of the legs or peripheral artery disease can be dangerous. It can prove fatal not only for the legs but also for the heart. If its symptoms are identified on time and treatment is started, then serious conditions can be avoided.

 

Nowadays, cases of heart diseases and heart attacks are increasing. Do you know that the health of the veins of the legs is closely related to the health of the heart, that is, if there is a blockage or defect in the veins of the legs, then the risk of heart attack increases. This condition is called Peripheral Artery Disease or PAD in medical language.

 

Peripheral artery disease is a condition in which cholesterol or fat gets deposited in the arteries of the legs, which causes problems in blood flow and when the veins of the legs get blocked, oxygen and nutrients are not able to reach all the organs in the right amount. This condition is not limited to the legs only, but the risk of blockage also increases in other arteries of the body. Due to which the risk of heart attack or stroke increases.

 

 

What are the symptoms of peripheral artery disease

Dr Ajit Jain, Associate Professor in the Department of Cardiology at Rajiv Gandhi Hospital, explains that the symptoms of peripheral artery disease are often very mild, which people often ignore. Often in peripheral artery disease, the patient experiences pain or cramps in the legs while walking or climbing stairs, which often gets cured after resting. Apart from this, there may also be swelling in the feet, ankles or toes. Some patients may also feel cold in their feet or their feet may turn blue or light purple. Sometimes the feet may also become numb. The skin of the feet may become dry, rough or the nails may become thick and yellow. If such signs are found, then one should immediately contact a doctor without ignoring them at all.

Is blockage in the veins of the legs related to heart attack?

Blockage in the veins of the legs is often a sign that blockage can also occur in other arteries of the body. If this process continues in the arteries of the heart as well, then the risk of heart attack can increase manifold. Often, patients with peripheral artery disease have a much higher risk of heart attack and brain stroke than other people.

Why does peripheral artery disease occur?

The risk of peripheral artery disease can increase due to factors such as obesity, lack of physical activity, cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes or smoking. Apart from this, if a person has had heart-related problems in his family, then he is also more likely to have heart-related problems.

How to protect yourself?

It is good to do regular exercise and yoga, as it keeps the heart healthy and also controls weight. Apart from this, all the nutrients should be included in the food. Smoking or alcohol consumption should be stopped immediately.

Blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol should be checked regularly.

If any unusual symptoms are seen in the feet, you should immediately consult a doctor. You should take medicine or change the medicine only on the advice of the doctor. Also, tests should be done if needed.