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Does Calcified Blood Vessels In The Leg Also Indicate An Issue With The Cardiovascular Or Generally Contained To The Leg?
Question: Hi, doctor. Due to my legs aching for a long time now (years), my foot doctor detected a faint pulse at ankle and suggested I have that ABI vascular test that measures circulation in the legs. Circulation seems ok I believe but test results showed calcified blood vessels in the legs but not to the level where a procedure needs to be done I was told. My question to u is how best to next proceed to try to get some relief from legs aching and a proper diagnosis. Does calcified blood vessels in the leg also indicate an issue with the cardiovascular or generally contained to the leg?
Brief Answer:
it's atherosclerosis
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Has your doctor attributed the symptoms to the partially blocked blood vessels? I would guess no since the lesions are not critical. If it's indeed due to the calcified blood vessels, then you shouldn't expect much. Using the affected extremity may help create other pathways for the blood to reach the tissues and may help improve the symptoms. If other causes are possible (like osteoarthritis for example which is a pretty common cause) then treatment should be targeted at them. Your doctor should guide you through the next steps, starting with a good history and clinical examination. There is no single test that can diagnose all disorders; it depends on the symptoms and the information gathered during the clinical encounter.
Regarding your other question, the state of a blood vessel usually reflects the state of most blood vessels in the body. The buildup of plaque is seldom local only. A person with peripheral lesions (of the extremities, for example) may also have narrowed coronary or cerebral arteries.
Age is the most important factor in atherosclerosis; our blood vessels get narrower as we age. Smoking is the most important modifiable risk factor. Other important ones include arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, lack of physical activity, etc
Please let me know if you need further assistance.
Kind Regards,
Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis
Internal Medicine Specialist
it's atherosclerosis
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Has your doctor attributed the symptoms to the partially blocked blood vessels? I would guess no since the lesions are not critical. If it's indeed due to the calcified blood vessels, then you shouldn't expect much. Using the affected extremity may help create other pathways for the blood to reach the tissues and may help improve the symptoms. If other causes are possible (like osteoarthritis for example which is a pretty common cause) then treatment should be targeted at them. Your doctor should guide you through the next steps, starting with a good history and clinical examination. There is no single test that can diagnose all disorders; it depends on the symptoms and the information gathered during the clinical encounter.
Regarding your other question, the state of a blood vessel usually reflects the state of most blood vessels in the body. The buildup of plaque is seldom local only. A person with peripheral lesions (of the extremities, for example) may also have narrowed coronary or cerebral arteries.
Age is the most important factor in atherosclerosis; our blood vessels get narrower as we age. Smoking is the most important modifiable risk factor. Other important ones include arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, lack of physical activity, etc
Please let me know if you need further assistance.
Kind Regards,
Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis
Internal Medicine Specialist
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Dr.Raju.A.T
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