It is about a common disease – arteriosclerosis, colloquially called vascular calcification. What can lead to an infarction in the heart and a stroke in the brain ends in the worst case with amputation of the legs.
According to the head of the department of angiology at the West Palatinate Clinic in Kusel, the harbingers are pain in the calves when running or hiking. “The muscles and tissue are then no longer sufficiently supplied with blood,” explains Peter von Flotow. The patients would have to rest after just a short walk.
Typical signs of aging
The causes are genetic, but also have a lot to do with lifestyle in the modern world. “Smoking, obesity and high blood pressure due to stress,” lists the medical doctor. But diabetics are also at risk. It is a typical sign of aging, which used to mainly affect men, “but women are catching up”.
The vessels increasingly narrow due to deposits of calcium, fat and proteins. The blood flow in the vessel in which the bottleneck is located decreases or comes to a complete standstill when the vessel closes completely. Then the muscles of the legs receive less blood – and thus there is a lack of oxygen and nutrients.
The pulse in the foot
During the diagnosis, the doctor tests the pulse on the foot, among other things. But there are also more precise measurement methods, explains von Flotow: The best therapy is more exercise. “Regular exercise, I’d say three hours a week, that helps a lot.” Taking medication that thins the blood is also advisable. Likewise, drugs that reduce cholesterol levels.
office hours
On Wednesday, June 22, between 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Peter von Flotow will answer questions about arterial diseases in the legs. He can be reached at the telephone number 06381 921218.
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