Patient Education: Q&A

• How can I reduce the risk of developing Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) or Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)?

  How can I reduce the risk of developing Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) or Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)?

  In many cases, the following lifestyle changes can help prevent vascular disease:

  • Stop smoking
  • Exercise regularly – 30 minutes per day, four to six times per week
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Check your cholesterol and sugar levels and blood pressure
  • Stick to a healthy diet and limit alcohol consumption
  • Manage your stress level
  • Get prescription medication if you have high LDL, high sugar, high blood pressure, or leg pain even at rest

  Take the medication regularly to reduce the risk of PAD, as well as heart attack and stroke.

  Source: Medicine Net

• Is peripheral (PAD) or coronary artery disease (CAD) curable?

  Is peripheral (PAD) or coronary artery disease (CAD) curable?

  There is no cure for peripheral or coronary artery disease. The treatment or procedure done will improve the blood flow, hence relieving the symptoms. Medications prescribed after a procedure may include blood-thinning medicine and medication that will slow the progression of the disease. However, treatment or medication will not eliminate the disease.

• What are the symptoms of narrowed arteries in the heart?
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Heart palpitations
  • Weakness or dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Sweating

  Source: https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/clogged-arteries-arterial-plaque#1

• What are the symptoms of poor blood circulation in the legs?
  • Painful muscle cramping in the hips, thighs, calves when walking or doing strenuous exercise, that subsides with rest
  • Numbness and tingling in extremities
  • A decrease in temperature of your lower leg or foot compared to your body temperature
  • Poor nail growth on toes
  • Foot or toe wounds that will not heal
  • Skin color changes
  • Ulcers in the legs, gangrene or dead tissue

  Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322371

• What is percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)?

  Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) is the intervention of the narrowed coronary arteries by any catheter-based techniques, such as balloon angioplasty, atherectomy, shockwave and implantation of stent(s).

  Source: https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/PCI

• How long is the hospital stay after stent implantation?

  In general, people who have angioplasty can go home within 6 hours after the procedure. Complete recovery takes a week or less. Keep the area where the catheter was inserted dry for 24 to 48 hours.

  Source: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000091.htm

• What is the stent for?

  A stent acts as a scaffold to keep the narrowed vessel open. It is a metal mesh. The stent can be without a drug (Bare Metal Stent BMS) or with a drug (Drug Eluting Stent DES).

• How do I know if I need a stent?

  Your doctor will do a complete medical exam and provide an explanation of your examination. You will be asked to undergo a series of standard tests, such as X-ray, electrocardiogram (ECG) or blood tests, to evaluate if you may have a coronary artery disease. Usually an angiogram (invasive diagnostic procedure) will be performed to confirm any narrowing and determine the number of blockages before a decision is made on whether you should continue with medication, undergo a bypass procedure or stenting.

• What is stent thrombosis?

  Stent thrombosis is a formation of a blood clot within the stent. When this happens, the blood flow in an artery may be reduced or cut off resulting in recurrent chest pain or even a heart attack.

• What else do I need to know?

  Taking the medication prescribed after the procedure is very important. Do not stop medication without the advice from your doctor. The follow-up visits with your doctor are important. If you have any questions or concerns about your heart, have a discussion with the doctor during the consultation.

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