hernia surgery, laparoscopy, vascular surgery and breast surgeon in Bonita Springs and Naples Florida

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Hernia Surgery, Breat specialist, Dr. Petrites of Bonita Springs and Naples Florida
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Tel:  239.495.3990
Fax: 239.949.2888
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a disease process affecting the aorta and blood vessels leading to the extremities. These vessels accumulate cholesterol and calcium in their lining that can result in narrowing. Typically men are more likely to develop this problem but women are affected as well. Risk factors identified are: hypertension (high blood pressure), cigarette smoking, high blood cholesterol, sedentary lifestyle, and diabetes. Modification of these risk factors by controlling blood pressure, cessation of smoking, lowering cholesterol, exercise programs, and good control of blood sugar can help to slow this disease process. Unfortunately because the narrowing of the blood vessels or “hardening of the arteries” occurs slowly over time, this disease often goes unnoticed.

Blood vessels are designed to carry nutrients, blood cells, and most importantly oxygen, to the muscles and other tissues of the limb. When the vessel becomes too narrowed or blocked because of PVD, the tissues of the limb don’t receive adequate blood and oxygen. Claudication is one of the early symptoms of this limited supply of oxygen and is noticed by the person as a cramping of the calf muscles at a predictable distance or level of exercise. This may occur while jogging, playing golf, working, or simply walking the mall. The muscles in the legs require more oxygen during these activities that the body cannot supply because of the narrowed blood vessels. Stopping the activity when the legs start to cramp restores the oxygen debt of the muscles and the cramping goes away.

Unfortunately many people ignore the early signs of this disease, attributing the claudication to old age, being out of shape, or not wanting to think that a problem exists. If you are experiencing claudication, a physician performing a good examination of the legs checking for hair loss, skin changes, diminished pulses, and comparison of blood pressures in the legs and arms can help to identify PVD and weather more testing and/or intervention is needed.

This medical update is provided to you by Dr. Mark E. Petrites. His office is located in the Bonita Community Health Center.   Back to Nurse's Corner

Bonita Community Health Center   3501 Health Center Blvd, Suite 2110   Bonita Springs, FL  34135