Diabetes and Peripheral Artery Disease
Diabetes is a long-term condition that affects how the body processes glucose (blood sugar), leading to high sugar levels in the bloodstream. There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. If not properly managed, both types can lead to issues in various parts of the body, including the vascular system. Managing diabetes is crucial, as uncontrolled blood sugar levels can harm blood vessels and nerves, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as peripheral artery disease (PAD).
PAD is a condition that affects blood flow in the arteries, mainly in the legs and feet, and is often undiagnosed. Due to diabetes’s impact on blood vessels, people with diabetes face a significantly higher risk of developing PAD. Managing diabetes is essential in minimizing risk and preventing the serious problems that PAD can cause.
Identifying PAD Symptoms in Diabetics
The symptoms of PAD often overlap with problems related to diabetes. People with diabetes may experience these symptoms earlier or more severely than those without the condition. Nerve damage from diabetes can mask pain or discomfort, so it’s crucial to watch for signs like changes in skin color or slow wound healing, which could indicate PAD. Common symptoms of PAD include:
- Leg pain or cramping, especially when walking or exercising
- Numbness or weakness in the legs
- Coldness in the lower leg or foot
- Discolored or shiny skin on the legs
- Loss of hair on the legs or feet
- Weak or absent pulse in the legs
Diagnosing Peripheral Artery Disease in Diabetic Patients
Diagnosing PAD early is essential, especially for people with diabetes. If you have diabetes and notice any symptoms of PAD, it is important to see a doctor for evaluation and potential testing. Our vascular specialists may recommend several diagnostic tests, such as:
- Doppler ultrasound: This test uses sound waves to visualize blood flow and spot blockages or narrowed arteries.
- Angiogram: A detailed imaging test that uses contrast dye and X-rays or MRI to view the arteries in the legs.
- Ankle-brachial index (ABI): A non-invasive test that compares your ankle’s blood pressure with your arm to identify reduced blood flow.
Preventing PAD in People with Diabetes
Preventing PAD, especially for individuals with diabetes, requires maintaining healthy blood glucose levels through exercise, diet, and medication to reduce the risk of serious health problems. Essential lifestyle changes include:
- Healthy diet: Eating a heart-healthy diet low in cholesterol, saturated fats, and refined sugars can minimize the risk of plaque buildup in the arteries.
- Exercise: Regularly doing physical activities improves circulation and helps manage diabetes and weight.
- Blood sugar control: Keeping blood sugar levels within a healthy range helps protect arteries from damage.
- Quitting smoking: If you are a smoker – stop. Smoking worsens blood vessel damage, increases the risk of atherosclerosis, and is not good for your overall health.
- Foot Care: Individuals with diabetes should perform regular foot inspections and keep an eye out for sores or wounds that may indicate poor circulation.
- Taking medications: Statins (lowers cholesterol), antiplatelet drugs (prevents blood clots), and blood sugar medications may also be prescribed to help manage diabetes and PAD risk.
Schedule an Appointment at your nearest American Endovascular affiliated center.
What is the Link Between PAD and Diabetes?
Diabetes contributes to the development of PAD by damaging the arteries over time. Raised blood sugar levels can cause inflammation and plaque buildup in the arteries, narrowing them and reducing blood flow to the limbs. This process, called atherosclerosis, affects people with diabetes more severely, as they are prone to the buildup of fatty deposits in their blood vessels.
Reduced blood flow can cause tissues in the legs and feet to become deprived of oxygen and nutrients, leading to pain, numbness, and sometimes non-healing wounds or tissue death (gangrene). Diabetes may also cause peripheral neuropathy, which complicates PAD even more by hiding the symptoms of reduced blood.
What Happens When Diabetes and PAD Go Untreated?
If left untreated, PAD and diabetes can lead to severe complications, including critical limb ischemia (CLI), tissue damage, and amputation. As PAD worsens, blood flow to the legs can become so restricted that sores, ulcers, and infections develop. These wounds may not heal, leading to tissue death (gangrene) and the potential need for amputation. People with untreated PAD and diabetes are also at higher risk for non-healing wounds and infections that can result in amputation, especially if neuropathy masks early warning signs.
PAD Treatments for Diabetics
If lifestyle changes and medications have not helped manage your PAD symptoms, you may need a minimally invasive procedure. At American Endovascular, we offer minimally invasive treatments that can restore blood flow and relieve your PAD symptoms. These image-guided treatments are customized to each patient’s needs and are designed to boost circulation, reduce pain, and assist wound healing in patients with diabetes and PAD. These treatments include:
- Atherectomy: A procedure that removes plaque from the inside of the artery.
- Angioplasty: A balloon is inflated inside the artery to widen it, improving blood flow.
- Stent placement: A small mesh tube is inserted to keep the artery open.
Diabetes Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, diabetes dramatically increases the risk of developing PAD due to the damage it causes to the arteries and blood vessels.
It varies, but long-term uncontrolled diabetes increases the risk of PAD, and symptoms may develop after several years of high blood sugar levels.
Regular exercise, a heart-healthy diet, and effective blood sugar control are important for managing diabetes and reducing the risk of PAD.
Vascular Specialists in NY & NJ
Our vascular specialists provide expert care for people with PAD, including those with diabetes. We evaluate your risk factors and offer personalized treatment plans using minimally invasive techniques to restore blood flow and improve quality of life.
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