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Dear Savvy Senior,
I started a walking program a few months ago to help me lose some weight but I've been having some problems with my legs hurting during my walk, although they feel better once I stop. I thought it was just the fact that I am 65 and getting older, but my friend was telling me about a leg vein disease called PVD and thinks I may have it. Do you know about this, and if so, could you explain what might be going on and what to do about it?
Limping Legs
Dear Limping,
Your friend could have a point. PVD, known as peripheral vascular disease, is
a disease of the arteries that affects over 10 million Americans. The problem
with PVD is that people with it have a greater risk for heart attack, stroke
and abdominal aortic aneurysm. Here's what you should know.
PVD happens when an artery that carries blood to the arms or legs becomes
clogged or blocked. It's usually caused by arteriosclerosis, also known as
"hardening of the arteries," the same thing that causes heart disease and stroke.
Many people with PVD have few, if any, symptoms. The most common one, however,
is leg pain, especially when walking or exercising, that usually disappears
after resting for a few minutes. Many people assume, like yourself, that aches
and pains go along with aging and simply live with it instead of reporting it to
their doctor. But, early diagnosis and treatment can save lives.
Risk Factors
PVD can happen to anyone but it is most common in people age 50 and over.
There are several factors that can increase your risk of having PVD that includes
smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, a family history of
heart or vascular disease, being overweight, an inactive lifestyle, and
eating lots fried or fatty foods.
Symptoms
Many people with PVD don't have any symptoms. However, here are some things
to watch out for.
Leg or hip pain when walking which disappears after a few minutes of rest
Numbness, tingling or weakness in the lower legs and feet
Burning or aching pain in the feet or toes when resting
Sores on the legs or feet that won't heal
Cold lower legs and feet
Color changes in the skin on your legs or feet
Treatment
PVD is a very treatable disease. Along with changes in eating and exercise
habits, PVD can be treated by angioplasty (inflating a tiny balloon in the
artery), clot-busting drugs, removing the blocked artery and/or creating a detour
around the blockage.
Savvy Resources
Legs for Life: In the month of September, Legs for Life, a nationwide public
education program, offers a free head-to-toe screening to identify people at
risk for vascular disease. Free screenings are offered at hundreds of hospitals
and clinics across the country but require an appointment. To find a
screening site near you, or to receive free educational brochures on vascular disease,
visit www.legsforlife.org.
Pacific Vascular Research Foundation: A nonprofit organization dedicated to
vascular disease research, education and raising public awareness. They offer a
free newsletter and publications on various vascular diseases like stroke,
abdominal aortic aneurysms, high blood pressure and kidney failure, peripheral
vascular diseases, and vein diseases. Call 1-866-482-7285 or visit www.pvrf.org.
Savvy Senior contributions are written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC
Today Show and author of "The Savvy Senior" book. |
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