Heart Diseases New Guidelines for Detection and Treatment of Arterial Disease

Wednesday, 12 August 2009

The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association launched different guidelines related to peripheral arterial disease in order to help doctors and all healthcare professionals to treat in a better way this common condition. According to statistics
more than 12 million people suffer from Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) in the United States.

PAD is a really serious illness
since it can cause amputation of the extremities
rupture of an aortic aneurysm
severe hypertension
kidney failure
but also heart attack
stroke
and cardiovascular death.

It is a disease in which arteries supply blood to the arteries outside the heart
to parts such as legs
feet
kidneys
and intestines. This arterial disease can cause damages to physical health of people
by diminishing for instance their ability to walk.

According to experts
the new guidelines supply a succinct diagnostic and treatment guidebook for patients suffering from PAD and for physicians
doctors' assistants
nurse practitioners
and nurses who are now offering care to treat them.

“A key source of the power of these recommendations is that they are so broad-based in their origin from every vascular specialty
as they attempt to reach a broad-based audience of clinicians. Everyone can use these Guidelines and a large segment of the public can benefit from them
” said Alan T. Hirsch
chairman of the writing committee.

Some highlights of the guidelines include recommended questions and observations that can uncover hidden signs of peripheral arterial disease; recommendations on when an aneurysm should be treated with surgery or catheter-based therapy
as well as when “watchful waiting” is the best way; among other things.

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