The Hindu : Karnataka News : ‘Leg attack more dangerous than heart attack’

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Karnataka

Karnataka

‘Leg attack more dangerous than heart attack’

Special Correspondent

Smokers, diabetics and those aged above 50 are at risk of developing vascular diseases

BANGALORE: If you have pain in your legs while walking or a continuous burning sensation in the toes, you could be suffering from peripheral vascular disease, the first symptom of which is a “leg attack”, more dangerous than heart attack.

Though there has been an exponential rise in vascular problems in India mainly because of increasing diabetes and smoking, the disease is being diagnosed late due to lack of awareness among the public as well as the medical fraternity.

Awareness drive

The Vascular Society of India has thus taken up a massive programme to create awareness about vascular diseases in the country. A team of vascular surgeons from Bangalore at a press conference here on Thursday explained the incidence of vascular disease, its causes and treatment.

According to Kalkunte R. Suresh, president of Vascular Society of India and Director of Jain Institute of Vascular Sciences, Bangalore, smokers, diabetics and those aged above 50 are at the risk of developing vascular diseases.

Affects the legs

Peripheral vascular disease mainly affects the legs. The problem initially causes pain the calf muscles while walking and the walking distance progressively reduces. If ignored, it results in severe pain in the toes even at rest and can eventually lead to gangrene of the toes and foot, which might necessitate amputation, he said.

Dangerous

Dr. Suresh said leg attack was dangerous as it could endanger the limb and life of the patient. Blocked arteries in the leg mirror the rest of the body. When a patient has blocked arteries in the heart (which causes heart attack) it indicates that there is 30 per cent chance of the patient having vascular disease in other parts of the body. But a blocked artery in the leg indicates that there could be a 60 to 70 per cent chance of vascular disease in other parts of the body.

Can be treated

But leg attacks can be easily treated in the initial stages with appropriate medicines and simple lifestyle modifications if the patient approaches a qualified vascular surgeon. Even if a patient approaches a vascular surgeon a little late, most of the limbs can be salvaged by vascular bypass or angioplasty and stenting, if needed, Dr. Suresh said.

Varicose veins

According to U. Vasudeva Rao of Manipal Hospital, varicose veins are another common vascular disease, which affects 20 to 30 per cent of the population. Though varicose veins are not life threatening problems, they can cause significant morbidity.

Early detection and treatment with proper stockings would prevent progression of the disease. “Unfortunately, many patients are already in an advanced stage nursing swollen legs and ulcers. However, even at this stage they can be treated with relatively simple surgery or laser procedures,” Dr. Rao said.

Sanjay Desai, Head of the Department of Vascular Surgery at M.S. Ramaiah Medical College, said stroke (brain attack) was another preventable vascular problem that needs to be treated by vascular surgeons. Majority of strokes occur because of narrowing of the carotid arteries, blood vessels in the neck that supply blood to brain. This narrowing can be corrected surgically.

Aneurysm

Dr. Desai explained the seriousness of another vascular disease called aneurysm, which is dilation of an artery. The aorta is commonly affected by this disease that does not cause any symptoms until the artery is ready to rupture.

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