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- Title
Detecting and treating peripheral arterial disease in primary care.
- Authors
Todhunter, Jane
- Abstract
Peripheral arterial disease is caused by atherosclerosis and reduces blood flow to the legs. The most common symptom is pain when walking, known as intermittent claudication which carries the risk of lower limb loss but is also a marker for the increased risk of death from heart attack and stroke. It affects a significant number of people in the UK over 60, with a higher incidence in patients with diabetes and coronary artery disease. Early diagnosis and management of risk factors is important to improve outcomes for patients. Mild symptoms can be managed in primary care and community nurses have a role to play in the early detection of PAD, as well as assisting the patient to manage risk factors and optimise best medical therapy. This article provides an overview of the assessment and management of PAD, the importance of appropriate referral and the role of the community nurse.
- Subjects
UNITED Kingdom; ATHEROSCLEROSIS complications; CORONARY heart disease complications; DIABETES complications; PERIPHERAL vascular disease diagnosis; PERIPHERAL vascular disease treatment; HEART failure risk factors; PAIN risk factors; STROKE risk factors; BLOOD testing; BLOOD circulation; COMMUNITY health nursing; DIET; EXERCISE; HEALTH promotion; EVALUATION of medical care; MEDICAL referrals; NURSES; PERIPHERAL vascular diseases; PRIMARY health care; QUALITY of life; RISK assessment; RISK management in business; SMOKING cessation; WEIGHT loss; COMORBIDITY; OCCUPATIONAL roles; DISEASE incidence; EARLY medical intervention; EARLY diagnosis; DISEASE complications; DISEASE risk factors; SYMPTOMS
- Publication
Journal of Community Nursing, 2019, Vol 33, Issue 4, p35
- ISSN
2059-5417
- Publication type
Article