Arteriosclerosis can be asymptomatic for a long time, but an untreated lesion can even lead to the loss of a leg. About the initial symptoms and stages of the disease dr. Eva Kósa, the angiologist of the Thrombosis and Hematology Center spoke.
It can have serious consequences if not recognized in time
Arteriosclerosis is a disease that generally affects the arteries that carry oxygen and nutrients to the body, but it most often develops in the vessels of the heart, brain, lower limbs and abdomen. The disease has different stages, in the last stage the blood vessel is completely blocked and the tissues of the given organ begin to die. Heart and brain infarction, gangrene of the limbs may occur.
He is asymptomatic for a long time
The lesion has been asymptomatic for a long time, that is, it does not yet cause complaints, but the process that causes vasoconstriction has already started in the body. The risk of its formation is higher among the elderly, smokers, diabetics, and in the case of high cholesterol or high blood pressure. This is why screening is important for those in the risk group.
Vasoconstriction screening
The so-called ankle-arm index determination is suitable, during which the blood pressures measured on the arms and legs are measured and compared. The arteriographic examination gives an idea of the general condition of the body’s vessels. It shows early signs of vascular disease, which can then be followed by targeted tests. Primarily recommended in asymptomatic cases, in the presence of risk factors. Since it does not provide information about individual vascular areas, it is important to emphasize that when symptoms appear, the so-called targeted investigations are needed. In addition to the aforementioned ankle-arm index determination, ultrasound examinations of the abdominal and neck vessels, as well as cardiovascular examinations performed by a cardiologist, e.g. ECG, exercise ECG, echocardiography or isotope tests.
Leg pain is already a sign of the second stage
After the asymptomatic one, the second degree of vasoconstriction occurs when pain occurs in the affected leg after walking a distance. The pain-free distance was classified into groups below and above 200 meters according to severity. This is why vasoconstriction is often called “showcase disease”, because patients often stop while walking until the leg pain subsides, as if they were looking at a window. In the third stage, the patient has pain not only when walking, but also at rest, and in the fourth stage, the patient’s leg already becomes gouty.
Treatment is more effective in the early stages
Vasoconstriction can therefore be asymptomatic for a long time, but leg pain that increases with exercise can warn of the disease, especially if the patient also has known risk factors. Dr. Éva Kósa emphasizes that it is important to treat the detected changes at the very beginning. In the case of a patient with asymptomatic vasoconstriction, drug treatment, regular check-ups and lifestyle changes are sufficient. The risk of worsening can be reduced by regular exercise – walking, quitting smoking, normalizing body weight and treating the underlying disease, if any, such as diabetes.
Serious consequences
Surgery may become necessary when the patient becomes limited in walking. In case of gangrene or pain at rest, vascular surgery is definitely necessary to avoid limb amputation. A vascular surgeon decides on the need for surgery. Leg pains that occur when walking can occur in patients with many other diseases or in otherwise healthy patients. For this reason, it is important to accurately separate the symptoms. The early recognition of vasoconstriction is very important, because treating it in a more severe condition is a much more difficult task, and it is possible that in this case the risk of limb amputation must be reckoned with.
Source: Thrombosis and Hematology Center
Source: www.patikamagazin.hu
