An individual is at risk for developing PAD (Peripheral Arterial Disease) when one or more of these risk factors are present:
♣ Smoking: This is the number one risk factor for PAD. Those that smoke not only put themselves at risk for developing arterial disease but also undermine attempts at treatment. According to the American College of Cardiologists, the risk of developing peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is as much as three times higher for people who smoke as that of none smokers. Survival rates for patients with PAD who have undergone peripheral bypass surgery is 85 percent in smokers and 100 percent in nonsmokers at 1 year, 40 percent in smokers and 67 percent in nonsmokers at 3 years, and 36 percent in smokers and 66 percent in nonsmokers after 5 years of follow-up. The same study found rates of amputation significantly higher in smokers compared with nonsmokers. The rate of in-hospital amputation was 23 percent in smokers and 10 percent in nonsmokers. After 5 years of follow-up, the amputation rate was 28 percent in smokers compared with 11 percent in nonsmokers. The risk for coronary artery disease decreases rapidly if a smoker quits. About 40 percent of the risk is eliminated within 5 years of smoking cessation. However, it may take several more years for a former smoker’s risk to fall to that of a person who has never smoked. A study conducted by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research showed that a physician’s recommendation to stop smoking raises success rates of quitting by 7 to 10 percent.
♣ Diabetes: Individuals with diabetes are at a greater risk for developing PAD due to its effect on blood vessels.
♣ Age: Atherosclerosis causes
peripheral artery disease. As you get older, your risk of developing leg artery
disease increases. People older than age 50 have an increased risk of
developing the disease, and men have a greater risk than women. The percentage
of elderly people that are affected is:
|
Age
|
%
Affected
|
|
40~59
|
3%
|
60~69
|
8%
|
70
or Older
|
19%
|
♣ History of Heart Disease: A family history of cardiovascular disease is an indicator for risk at developing PAD.
♣ Hypertension (high blood pressure): When blood pressure remains high, the lining of the artery walls becomes damaged. Many PAD patients also have high blood pressure.
♣ High cholesterol or triglycerides
♣ High levels of Homocysteine: This is an amino acid found in plasma (blood). Some recent studies show higher levels are associated with PAD.
♣ Weighing over 30 percent more than your ideal weight
