There are Links Between Peripheral Arterial Disease and Diabetes

This PAD Awareness Month, we want to make sure you know that the arterial condition has connections with other diseases. Specifically, peripheral arterial disease and diabetes are linked conditions. In this post, we highlight their connections and provide information on treatment options.

Understanding PAD

Peripheral artery disease develops when your arteries narrow or become blocked by atherosclerosis. PAD increases lower extremity amputation risk, along with a risk for atherothrombosis, (when plaque lining the arteries ruptures, causing a clot to form and blocking blood flow.)

Atherosclerosis can progress without symptoms for years. But, when PAD develops, research shows that about one-third of indivudlas experience claudication, causing numbness, aches or cramps in the legs with physical activity. With claudication, mobility can be compromised, and quality of life may suffer. Preventing disease progression and reducing risk factors for PAD is crucial. As such, it's important to explore the connections between peripheral arterial disease and diabetes.

Peripheral Arterial Disease and Diabetes

Peripheral arterial disease risk factors include aging, smoking, or having elevated blood pressure or elevated cholesterol levels. However, having diabetes increases your risk for PAD, and makes the condition progress at a faster pace. Moreover, diabetes increases PAD patients' risk for lower limb amputation fourfold, compared to PAD patients who are not diabetic.

What;s behind this connection? Well, atherosclerosis seems to progress at a faster pace in diabetic patients whose blood glucose levels are poorly controlled. For that reason, PAD could be considered a diabetic complication.

Do you need help managing peripheral artery disease? Are you diabetic, and ready to learn your risk for peripheral artery disease? We’re ready to help. Request a consultation with our specialists to learn more about how to assess your risk and explore management options. If treatment becomes necessary, we can offer information about minimally invasive PAD treatments, including stenting, atherectomy and angioplasty for PAD.