Arterial disease – treatment and prevention

What can you do to prevent AVK from developing?

Of course, it is best to prevent the development of arterial occlusive disease. There are some factors that you can take into account in your lifestyle and that you can take remedial action. 

The risk factors for the development of arteriosclerosis and, thus, AVK include above all:

• lack of exercise
• overweight
• a high-fat, unbalanced diet
• Nicotinogenus
• Stress

High blood pressure and high blood sugar levels in diabetes also promote arteriosclerotic deposits, so good blood pressure and blood sugar control are significant.

 

Diagnosis of arterial occlusive disease

If you describe the corresponding symptoms, the doctor will determine the extent of the AVK. To do this, if you have leg pain, he measures the blood pressure in your feet, determines your pain-free walking distance on a treadmill, and examines the arteries with ultrasound to detect vessel deposits.

A contrast medium angiography is then carried out to diagnose the damage precisely. A contrast medium is injected into the femoral artery, and the X-ray image shows which arteries in which section are affected and to what extent.

What can the doctor do to prevent AVK?

Short constrictions (stenoses) can then be dilated with a balloon – a catheter with an inflatable tip is pushed under X-ray control up to the constriction, and the balloon is filled with saline solution until the deposits are pressed to the edge.

In the case of longer stenoses, on the one hand, there is the option of surgically removing the deposits, which means that the doctor performs a so-called thrombendarterectomy and sews a piece of synthetic skin, a patch, onto the opened artery.

If, however, the artery is massively damaged by the deposits, which have entirely penetrated the wall of the artery and it is therefore not possible to peel it off, or if the stenosis is very long, a bypass is used, which serves as a new flow path for the blood.

 

Drug treatment of AVK

The blood vessels can also be dilated with prostaglandin E1. This messenger substance, which is also produced by the body, improves the blood’s flow properties and lowers the blood fat content in addition to vasodilatation.

Platelet aggregation inhibitors, such as acetylsalicylic acid or clopidogrel, are so-called “blood thinners”; they are given to all patients with arteriosclerosis to reduce the risk of an artery suddenly blocking.

What to do if you have been diagnosed with AOD?

Since an AVK develops slowly, the body can form bypass circuits (so-called collaterals). Smaller arteries take over the blood supply of the narrow, larger ones. You can promote the formation of collaterals in the leg area by taking up walking training adapted to your situation.

At the latest, when you notice symptoms that match a shop window disease, you should draw up a “battle plan” against the progression of AVK with a doctor you trust, which may include changing your habits such as giving up nicotine, a diet, but also includes walking training and additional medication.

A vascular sports group in your area may help you make the critical decision to exercise more. Or are you getting a four-legged friend who loves to run around? In addition, pay more attention to your feet, which have poor blood circulation: do not impair blood circulation with tight shoes or constricting stockings and consider regular visits to a professional podiatrist – your feet will thank you!