http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31808&articlexml...

The Times of India

Title : Smoking can leave you out on a limb
Author : DurgeshNandan Jha
Location :
New Delhi:
Article Date : 10/17/2016

Excessive smoking may not only lead to heart diseases, but also cause peripheral arterial disease (PAD) or
narrowing of arteries in the legs. Patel Singh, a Delhi resident, recently realised this when unbearable pain in
one of his limbs turned out to be connected to the severest form of PAD causing multiple blockages.

Singh (58) had blockage in the aorta above the kidneys, at the level of the navel where the aorta divides into
two for the thighs, and in the middle of each thigh.

Director and senior consultant (cardiothoracic and vascular surgery) at BLK superspecialty hospital, Dr
Sushant Srivastava said it took six hours for Singh's surgery , which involved opening up the chest, abdomen
and legs at the same time to place a synthetic graft for normal blood flow in the blocked blo od vessels. The
patient would have lost his affected limb if operation was not done in time, the doctor said.

The doctor added that cases of PAD have gone up due to increase in incidence of diabetes, high cholesterol
and smoking. If the condition is diag nosed early , the risk factor can be reduced with lifestyle changes.
However, due to lack of awareness about PAD, most patients come when the disease has already progressed
necessitating surgery or amputation, he explained.

Doctors say that most people understand the severity of heart attacks, but are not aware of PAD which is
characterised by pain in calves and thighs. It occurs only while walking and is relieved by rest. In severe
blockages, a patient experiences constant burning pain in the foot along with bluish discolouration of toes or
even gangrene of the toes. Gangrene leads to blackening of the toes and later the legs.

Dr Srivastava said the only way to prevent this condition is by controlling diabetes, hypertension and
cholesterol. Smoking should be stopped completely and a healthy lifestyle must be adopted, he added.

1 of 2 10/17/2016 12:38 PM
 http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31808&articlexml...

2 of 2 10/17/2016 12:38 PM