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Lifestyle and home remedies
By Mayo Clinic staffMany people can manage the symptoms of peripheral artery disease and stop the progression of the disease through lifestyle changes, especially quitting smoking. To stabilize or improve PAD:
- Stop smoking. Smoking contributes to constriction and damage of your arteries and is a significant risk factor for the development and worsening of PAD. If you smoke, quitting is the most important thing you can do to reduce your risk of complications.
- Exercise. This is a key component. Success in treatment of PAD is often measured by how far you can walk without pain. Proper exercise helps condition your muscles to use oxygen more efficiently. Your doctor can help you develop an appropriate exercise plan. He or she may refer you to a claudication exercise rehabilitation program.
- Eat a healthy diet. A heart-healthy diet low in saturated fat can help control your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which contribute to atherosclerosis. Diets rich in nutrients — such as vitamins A, B-6, C and E; folate; fiber; and omega-3 fatty acids — are associated with a lower incidence of peripheral artery disease.
- Avoid certain cold medications. Over-the-counter cold remedies that contain pseudoephedrine (Advil Cold and Sinus, Aleve Sinus & Headache, Claritin-D, Sudafed, Tylenol Cold, Zyrtec-D, others) constrict your blood vessels and may increase your PAD symptoms.
Careful foot care
In addition to the above suggestions, take good care of your feet. People with peripheral artery disease, especially those who also have diabetes, are at risk of poor healing of sores on the lower legs and feet. Poor blood circulation can postpone or prevent proper healing and increases the risk of infection. Follow this advice to care for your feet:
- Wash your feet daily, dry them thoroughly and moisturize often to prevent cracks that can lead to infection. Don't moisturize between the toes, however, as this can encourage fungal growth.
- Wear well-fitting shoes and thick, dry socks.
- Promptly treat any fungal infections of the feet, such as athlete's foot.
- Take care when trimming your nails.
- Avoid walking barefoot.
- Have a foot doctor (podiatrist) treat bunions, corns or calluses.
- See your doctor at the first sign of a sore or injury to your skin.
- Peripheral artery disease. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec07/ch080/ch080f.html. Accessed Feb. 8, 2010.
- Peripheral artery disease. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/pad/pad_all.html. Accessed Feb. 6, 2010.
- Mohler III ER. Clinical features, diagnosis, and natural history of lower extremity peripheral arterial disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 29, 2010.
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD). Society for Vascular Surgery. http://www.vascularweb.org/patients/NorthPoint/Leg_Artery_Disease.html. Accessed Feb. 6, 2010.
- Hankey GJ. Medical treatment of peripheral artery disease. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2006;295:547.
- Peripheral vascular disease. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4692. Accessed Feb. 6, 2010.
- Hirsch AT, et al. ACC/AHA 2005 guidelines for the management of patients with peripheral arterial disease. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2006;47:e1.
- Langlois M, et al. Serum vitamin C concentration is low in peripheral arterial disease and is associated with inflammation and severity of atherosclerosis. Circulation. 2001;103:1863.
- Lane JS, et al. Nutrition impacts the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease in the United States. Journal of Vascular Surgery. 2008;48:897.
- Kuller LH. Does gingko biloba reduce the risk of cardiovascular events? Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes. 2010;3:41.
- Anderson CF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Rochester, Minn. Feb. 9, 2010.
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