Tag Archives: Tensión arterial

What Is Peripheral Arterial Disease?

Posted on by
2

Peripheral arterial disease (P.A.D.) is a disease in which plaque builds up in the arteries that carry blood to your head, organs, and limbs. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, fibrous tissue, and other substances in the blood.

When plaque builds up in the body’s arteries, the condition is called atherosclerosis. Over time, plaque can harden and narrow the arteries. This limits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your organs and other parts of your body.
P.A.D. usually affects the arteries in the legs, but it also can affect the arteries that carry blood from your heart to your head, arms, kidneys, and stomach. This article focuses on P.A.D. that affects blood flow to the legs.
Blocked blood flow to your legs can cause pain and numbness. If you have leg pain when you walk or climb stairs, talk with your doctor. Sometimes older people think that leg pain is just a symptom of aging. However, the cause of the pain could be P.A.D. Tell your doctor if you’re feeling pain in your legs and discuss whether you should be tested for P.A.D.
Smoking is the main risk factor for P.A.D. If you smoke or have a history of smoking, your risk of P.A.D. increases up to four times. Other factors, such as age and having certain diseases or conditions, also increase your risk of P.A.D.
P.A.D. increases your risk of coronary heart disease (CHD; also called coronary artery disease), heart attack, stroke, and transient ischemic attackexternal link icon (“mini-stroke“). If you have CHD, you have a 1 in 3 chance of having blocked leg arteries.

Although P.A.D. is serious, it’s treatable. If you have the disease, see your doctor regularly and treat the underlying atherosclerosis.

Video Platform Video Management

High Blood Pressure: The SILENT KILLER

Posted on by
Reply

The more you have a handle on your blood pressure, the better you’ll be able to measure your risk, predict heart problems, and flag danger.

Blood pressure is the amount of force your blood exerts on the walls of your arteries as it passes through. If your blood pressure is high (optimum level is 115/76; the national median is 129/86), the force is literally gouging holes in your arteries, causing inflammation. But high blood pressure has no symptoms, which makes it easier to ignore than a dirty air filter in your house. It is also, however, as easily treatable with medications or lifestyle changes (diet and exercise), which means that everyone should have their blood pressure measured regularly and take immediate steps if it is high.Blood-pressure readings can be very variable and you always want your blood-pressure reading to be low. Have your blood pressure taken in the morning, during the day, and at night when you are doing what you normally do (except that, Fabio). If it is high at any of those times, you can make your RealAge younger. If you are 55 years old, you are one year older in RealAge for every 5 mmHg increase to the top number, or 7 mmHg increase in the bottom number. But drop down to the ideal, and you make yourself nine years younger.