Are Former Smokers at Risk of PAD

Dr. Donikyan explains why former smokers are at risk of PAD. Number one, if you’re a smoker, you have to stop smoking, that’s first and foremost. I know a lot of people have heard it, but it really is true. With diabetics, if their sugar isn’t tightly controlled, if they’re not checking their sugar regularly and keeping it within the normal levels, that can be also bad for the result in terms of developing atherosclerotic disease. The same sort of things that we think about for coronary artery disease and cholesterol apply to your extremities as well. You want to diet and exercise. Exercise is very important because it can increase the amount of blood flow that you can get to your lower extremities. There are times that plaque builds up in the legs of patients who aren’t necessarily doing anything wrong. They may have been a smoker that quit, but the damage has already been done, and so whatever plaques they may have developed as a smoker can propagate even after they stop smoking. It’s not always what you can and can’t do, but for the most part, it’s the same as any other cardiovascular health advice: stop smoking, exercise, diet, and take tight control of your blood sugar. Learn more at https://americanendovascular.com/are-former-smokers-at-risk-for-pad/ Schedule your consultation today at 1-833-PAD-EXPERT (1-833-723-3973).