How can Peripheral Arterial Disease be managed?

Lifestyle changes

Adopting lifestyle changes can help improve symptoms, slow disease progression and reduce the risk of developing coronary heart disease and stroke. They include:

• Quitting smoking - cigarette smoking is responsible for 50% of PAD cases

• Eating a low-fat, high-fibre diet

• Losing weight if overweight

• Having regular foot care and foot check-ups

• Participating in exercise programs - physical activity improves blood flow and allows people with claudication to walk longer distances.

Certain medications can help treat the risk factors of PAD and reduce the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes. Your doctor may recommend you take:

• Blood pressure medications

• Cholesterol medications – statins help reduce plaque buildup in the arteries and have been shown to prevent or slow the progression of PAD.

• Diabetes medications – PAD is 20–30% more common in people with diabetes. Maintaining good glycaemic control may benefit both PAD and overall cardiovascular health.

• Anti-platelet medications – reduced blood flow in PAD can cause blood clots. Medications such as aspirin or clopidogrel may be used to prevent blood clotting.