Is There a Link Between Veterans and Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)?
Author: StrideCare Internal Team
In honor of Memorial Day, we are exploring the link between veterans and Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD). Peripheral Arterial Disease affects approximately 8.5 million people in the United States. PAD, also referred to as Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) or Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD), causes walls of the small arteries and capillaries to thicken, which reduces oxygen transfer. Patients with PAD can experience poor blood circulation to the kidneys, intestines, arms, legs, and feet—leading to tissue and nerve injury or damage. Men and woman are equally affected by PAD. However, veterans and Peripheral Arterial Disease are associated with an increased risk.
What Are PAD Symptoms?
Many people with PAD have no apparent symptoms, or do not experience symptoms until the later stages of the disease. If symptoms are present, they typically include:
- Aching, tingling, or burning in the feet and toes while resting
- Pain, achiness, or numbness in the legs when standing, walking, or climbing stairs
- Erectile dysfunction, especially among diabetic men
What Causes PAD to Develop?
Some risk factors for PAD cannot be controlled. They include aging, race, personal or family history of PAD, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. However, there are some risk factors that can be controlled. These include:
- Cigarette smoking – Cigarette smokers are four times more likely to develop peripheral artery disease than non-smokers.
- Obesity – Individuals with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 or higher are at a higher risk of developing PAD.
- Physical inactivity – A sedentary lifestyle can increase your risk of developing PAD. Regular, moderate physical activity can help reduce your risk of developing peripheral artery disease and other lifestyle related illnesses.
- High blood pressure – Approximately 30% of Americans have high blood pressure and an estimated 60,000 people die from its effects each year in the U.S. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is sometimes referred to as “the silent killer” because patients typically don’t experience any symptoms until the disease has done significant damage to the heart and arteries.
- Diabetes – Diabetes is one of the leading risk factors associated with PAD. Approximately 1 in 3 people diabetics over the age of 50 also have PAD.
- High Cholesterol – There are two types of cholesterol. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the “bad cholesterol” that attaches to the artery walls. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is the “good cholesterol” that removes plaque from artery walls. High levels of LDL can lead to atherosclerosis, also known as “hardening of the arteries” which is a risk factor for developing PAD.
PAD Treatments
The two primary goals of Peripheral Arterial Disease treatment are to:
- Reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke by stopping the progression of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) throughout the body
- Provide relief for common symptoms like leg pain to allow the patient to resume normal physical activity
Depending on the severity of PAD, your physician may prescribe one or more treatments.
Comparing Peripheral Vascular Functions of Veterans and Non-Veterans
A U.S. National Library of Medicine study stated that more needs to be done to improve care of veterans and Peripheral Arterial Disease. Many veterans tend to deal with multiple chronic diseases. For example, one in three veterans has hypertension, one in four has diabetes, and one in four is a smoker. This placing them at a higher risk of leg amputation and death. In addition, a substantial proportion of veterans are historically not prescribed recommended medications.
Stats Linking Veterans and PAD:
- Veterans have more severe PAD, evidenced by a 20% lower ankle-brachial index (ABI)
- Veterans aged 45-64 have a rate of vascular procedures 10 times those of non-veterans
- Veterans with Peripheral Arterial Disease have 14% lower ankle systolic blood pressures
Additional Risk Factors of Peripheral Arterial Disease Specific to Veterans
- PTSD and its associated risk of cardiovascular disease
- Significant injury to lower extremities and repeated surgeries
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol levels
Ways to Prevent or Improve PAD Symptoms in Veterans
If you are concerned about the link between veterans and Peripheral Arterial Disease for yourself or a family member, here are a few ways to prevent or improve symptoms:
- Quit smoking
- Exercise regularly with your doctor’s permission
- Eat healthier to lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Take the medication prescribed by your doctor
- Make and attend all doctor’s appointments
Schedule an Appointment with StrideCare to Learn More
StrideCare has long been a leader in performing leading-edge procedures to treat vascular and vein disease such as varicose veins, as well as spider vein treatment, chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), restless leg syndrome, chronic pelvic pain, pelvic congestion syndrome, May-Thurner Syndrome and more—all the while providing compassionate patient care. StrideCare also treats arterial patients at our Katy, Texas location. StrideCare physicians are board certified diagnostic radiologists with additional fellowship training in vascular and interventional radiology.
Prior to starting any new treatment or questions regarding a medical condition, always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
StrideCare serves the South Texas area including Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Round Rock, Bastrop, Brushy Creek, Cedar Park, Converse, Georgetown, Hutto, Kyle, Leander, Marble Falls, New Braunfels, Pasadena, Pearland, Pflugerville, San Marcos, Schertz, Houston, Sugar Land, Katy, Webster, Bay City, Clear Lake, Lake Jackson, The Woodlands, Universal City, Spring, Kingwood, Stafford, Conroe, Texas City, Cypress, League City, Bellaire, and more.
